On 25 September, Cathay Pacific Airways announced that, subject to government approvals, Shanghai will return to the airline's passenger network in December with a daily return service between Hong Kong International Airport and Shanghai's Pudong International Airport. The introduction of the service follows a recent decision by the Hong Kong authorities to grant the airline traffic rights to fly passengers to Mainland China's most important commercial hub.

The service begins 1 December using an Airbus A330-300/A340-300 aircraft. Flight CX368 departs Hong Kong every day except Friday at 6:40 pm, returning as CX367 from Pudong at 10:35 pm. On Fridays, Cathay Pacific's Shanghai flight will depart as CX362 at 11:35 pm, returning on Saturday morning at 3:05 am as CX361.

The passenger service is in addition to the 12 freighter flights Cathay Pacific already operates between Hong Kong and Shanghai each week.

Cathay Pacific Chief Executive Philip Chen said: "We are delighted to be flying passengers to Shanghai once again, after a 16-year break. Our strong global network and connectivity, plus our fleet of large wide-bodied aircraft, will maximise the efficient use of the additional traffic rights and boost the Hong Kong hub and economy."

Shanghai is an important Mainland market for Cathay Pacific, accounting for 35 per cent of the passenger market and 68 per cent of the cargo market between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific's Shanghai passenger flight schedule from 1 December is as follows: