A direct scheduled cargo flight between north China's city of Shijiazhuang and Hong Kong was launched on Thursday, authorities with Hebei Airport Management Group Co., Ltd. said Friday.

Launching the route between Shijiazhuang and Hong Kong marks the Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport's first regional scheduled flight, which is very important for the airport's development, Hebei Airport authorities said.

A Boeing-737 aircraft is scheduled to be operated from Tuesday to Saturday, making a total of five flights each week.

COSCO AIR is the route's operator, and Hong Kong Airlines is in charge of the carrier.

"The services of COSCO AIR and Hong Kong Airlines have developed well in Southeast Asia, and cargo heading to this area can be transferred in Hong Kong. Operating the direct route also means that an air cargo passage linking northern China to Southeast Asia has been established," said Wang Yaqi, manager of the Planning and Development Department of Hebei Airport Management Group Co., Ltd.