On April 4, Hong Kong Express Airways launched a new direct scheduled service between Hong Kong and the capital of China's Shaanxi province, Xi'an. Reiterating the airline's commitment to provide passengers with more convenient travel options as well as strengthening its presence in the mainland China market, the new route will initially be served by flights operating every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday with additional flight frequencies added later in the year.

Xi'an is Hong Kong Express Airways' sixth destination in Asia and the fifth in the airline's fast growing mainland China route network.

Perhaps best known internationally as the home of China's famed terracotta warriors, Xi'an is located nearly 3 hours from Hong Kong in the centre of China adjacent to Shanxi, Henan, Hubei, Sichuan and Gansu Provinces, and Ningxia and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regions, making it the principal gateway to China's burgeoning north and south western regions.

The launch is Hong Kong Express Airways' first since it unveiled its new look in late January - timed to coincide with the arrival of its first Boeing 737 aircraft. The airline plans to take delivery of a further 5 Boeing 737's by the end of 2007 in line with planned increases in capacity on selected routes and the addition of further destinations to its network.

Tickets are bookable online at www.hongkongexpress.com, through travel agents or by calling the airline's reservations line on +852-31511888.

Hong Kong Express Airways currently operates flights between Hong Kong and Chengdu, Chiang Mai, Chongqing, Hangzhou and Ningbo.