The direct flight service between Hong Kong and Yiwu in Zhejiang province reopens on May 29. [Photo/jinhua.com.cn]
The Hong Kong Express Airways (HK Express) flight UO212 touched down at Yiwu Airport at 4:20 pm on May 29, marking the resumption of the direct flight service between Hong Kong and Yiwu county-level city in Jinhua, Zhejiang province.
The relaunched route, operating every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, slashes travel time to 2 hours and 20 minutes, fostering closer economic and tourism ties between Zhejiang's central region and Hong Kong.
The inaugural flight from Hong Kong carried 99 passengers, including tourism representatives led by Tommy Tan, chairman of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong. The group held talks with Yiwu's cultural and tourism authorities to discuss mutual resource-sharing and market initiatives.
Later that evening, 131 passengers departed Yiwu for Hong Kong. Among them was e-commerce influencer Lin Xingxing, who praised the route's affordability — round-trip fares of around 800 yuan (about $111) — and time efficiency compared with previous transit options.
As HK Express' fifth mainland destination after Ningbo, Beijing, Sanya, and Changzhou, Yiwu's inclusion reflects the airline's strategic expansion in Eastern China.
CEO Jeanette Mao emphasized that the route would enhance connectivity between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Yangtze River Delta region.
Ji Yumin, Yiwu Airport's marketing manager, noted the route's role in elevating trade collaboration with the Greater Bay Area, in line with Yiwu's push to expand its international flight network and advance its trade reforms.
