Stephen Ip Shu-kwan, director general of HK SAR Economic Development and Labour Bureau, disclosed that eleven new air routes will soon be added between Hong Kong and mainland China.

He says his agency worked with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and completed the final review on the arrangement of aviation transportation between Hong Kong and mainland China.

So far, the two sides have already confirmed the schedule for opening the aviation market. From the winter of 2007, the parties can each appoint 3 airline companies to run flights carrying both passengers and cargo.

At present, there are 45 lines between Hong Kong and mainland China. The parties have agreed to lift the limit on transport capacity for most of those lines.