Direct flights between Hong Kong and Lhasa by China Southwest Airlines will start on July 21.

China Southwest Airlines will use a special refitted Boeing 757--200 aircraft that is suitable for flying to the plateau,to serve the route.The first flight will be from Hong Kong to Lhasa.

Hong Kong travelers can choose their own route to Lhasa or Shigatse and the Tibet travel agency can arrange tours to Hong Kong.Without the Hong Kong-Lhasa direct flight,Hong Kong travelers had to fly to Chengdu first and could only arrive at Tibet a day later.But with the direct flight,it only takes four hours to reach Tibet from Hong Kong.Shortening the travel time and lowering the fare may lower the tour cost and may attract more Hong Kong people to visit Tibet.

The opening of Hong Kong-Lhasa direct flights also marks the simplification of Tibet visa applications and the permission from the Tibet Autonomous Region to apply for visas in Hong Kong.

(Eastday.com.cn 06/28/2001)