The FINANCIAL — Commencing on 14 September 2016, Hong Kong Airlines, an internationally-acclaimed full-service airline, will be the first and the only carrier providing direct twice-weekly flight service between Hong Kong and Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, Japan.
The new service will be operated by an all-economy class Airbus A320 aircraft, further strengthening the airline’s network in Japan.
Tottori Prefecture is situated in the northeastern part of the Chugoku region in Western Honshu. Tottori Prefecture has four distinct seasons. A coastal prefecture surrounded by several high mountains, with close to 90% of land being mountainous, Tottori Prefecture boasts a wide range of local produce. Japanese watermelons, 20th Century pears, oysters and Matsuba crabs are some of the region’s specialties, according to Hong Kong Airlines.
Tottori Prefecture is blessed with bountiful natural landscapes, including Japan’s largest sand dunes, Tottori Sand Dunes. Tottori Sand Dunes spans 16 kilometers in length along the coast and 2 kilometers in width. Wind and coastal tides weave together unique ripples and sand screens that evolve by the minute. There are limitless ways to explore Tottori Sand Dune, from the adrenaline-pumping paragliding and sandboarding, to taking leisurely stroll on a horse-cart or a camel, to riding a cable car for a panoramic view of the coastline. In addition, Tottori Prefecture is home to a great variety of onsens, including the famous ‘Salt Spring’ Kaike Onsen. The hot spring-water from the sea floor of Miho Bay is said to improve digestion and relieve muscle pain.
Tottori Prefecture has a unique infusion of arts and culture. The Prefecture is Japan’s “Manga Kingdom”, as the hometown of manga artists behind the celebrated GeGeGe no Kitaro and Great Detective Conan. A ride on the Kitaro train or a walk along the yokai statue-lined Mizuki Shigeru Road will transport any visitor into the fantasy manga world. As the original site of Mingei (folk craft) movement, Tottori Prefecture is well known for its traditional pottery and utensils inspired by the beauty of everyday life.
Mr. Li Dianchun, Chief Commercial Officer of Hong Kong Airlines, said, “We are delighted to be launching our second route in the Chugoku region after our success with the Okayama route in March this year. Our Yonago route will open up more options to our passengers in West Honshu. We have great confidence in this route and we hope to bring travellers from around the world to this scenic and cultural Prefecture.”
Hong Kong Airlines currently flies to over 30 destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. With the additional twice-weekly service to Yonago, complemented by two daily flights to Okinawa and Tokyo, daily flight to Osaka, five-time weekly service to Sapporo and Kagoshima and twice-weekly flights to Okayama, Miyazaki, Hong Kong Airlines will operates a total of 51 weekly flights between Hong Kong and Japan, further strengthening its route network.
