Faster flights between Harbin and Hong Kong launch Sunday

Direct flights from Harbin to Hong Kong commence operations on Sunday, shortening travel time between the cities by nearly five hours. 

As of May 27th, mainland authorities approved eight additional Chinese cities for solo travel to Hong Kong and Macau, including Harbin in Heilongjiang Province. 

According to CCTV News, the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Transportation confirmed the inaugural Harbin-Hong Kong route would debut today. 

Operated by China Southern Airlines using A320 aircraft, this marks the first regular passenger service connecting Heilongjiang directly with Hong Kong. Flight time is reduced to around five hours from Harbin. 

Reports state two weekly flights will operate each Thursday and Sunday. Departing Harbin at 7:40am, they arrive in Hong Kong at 1pm before leaving Hong Kong at 2:15pm and touching down in Harbin at 7:15pm. 

Initiating this route is anticipated to greatly boost economic, trade, tourism and cultural exchanges between Heilongjiang and Hong Kong.