Dragonair to operate a record number of extra flights over the Lunar New Year holiday period

Dragonair is to operate a record number of extra flights over the Lunar New Year holiday period. Between January 24 and February 12, the airline will fly 76 additional services to 10 destinations.

In 2002, over an 11-day period straddling the holiday the airline flew 55 extra flights to nine destinations.

"We have four more aircraft than at Lunar New Year last year, so we can meet even more demand for travel this year," said Stanley Hui, Chief Executive Officer.

"The Lunar New Year period is a very busy time for us in terms of travel to visit friends and relatives and to enjoy a holiday, which explains why Shanghai and Phuket are the leading destinations in our network for extra flights.

"In particular a large number of business people from Taiwan and their families who are working and living in and around the Shanghai area will be heading home for the holidays.

"As a result of demand from such travellers, Shanghai will see 24 extra flights and Taipei nine more flights, some offering Dragonair's same-plane through service," he continued. "Meanwhile the tropical holiday island of Phuket in Thailand is popular with those seeking sun and sand, and will have 17 additional services."

In addition, Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia and Kaohsiung will both be served by six, Guilin, Hangzhou, Harbin and Kunming by three each, and Qingdao by two.

Larger aircraft will also be flown on some routes to meet the increase in demand, and include flights to Kota Kinabalu.

"With the large number of people travelling over the holiday period we advise passengers to arrive at the airport in good time to clear check-in, immigrations and Customs procedures," said Mr. Hui. "Dragonair wishes all its passengers an enjoyable holiday and a very happy Year of the Goat."

Dragonair is a Hong Kong-based airline, operating a fleet of nine A330-300s, four A321s and eight A320s, in addition to three Boeing 747-300 freighters. The airline's passenger network covers 28 destinations across the Asia-Pacific region, while its cargo network connects the markets of Europe, the Middle East, Japan, Taiwan and China Mainland.