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EconomicChina·19 Aug 2026 · 8d ago

Qatar Airways opens Hong Kong cargo office; Central Asia route planned

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Qatar Airways established a new regional cargo office in Hong Kong, marked by a memorandum of understanding signed with the Airport Authority. During the ceremony, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan announced that a local carrier, identified by the South China Morning Post as Cathay Pacific, would launch direct flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in the first quarter of next year. The route will utilize an Airbus A330-300 aircraft and operate three times per week. This development aligns with the Hong Kong government's strategy to expand its aviation network toward emerging regions, including Central Asia, as part of the “Air Silk Road” initiative.

Consequences

The launch of the Almaty route will restore a direct air link between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan, a connection previously serviced by Air Astana. This expansion supports the Hong Kong government’s goal of strengthening international air services and increasing connectivity with new growth areas.

Sources

SCMP
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