Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) began its new route to Zhoushan in Zhejiang Province on Thursday, 7th November.
The new service will operate three times a week between Hong Kong and Zhoushan.
Accompanied by GBA chair Wong Cho Bau, CEO Liza Ng and board member Stanley Hui, VIPs who came aboard the maiden flight included Hong Kong SAR Government undersecretary for transport and logistics Liu Chun San, Airport Authority Hong Kong assistant general manager for air network development Ricky Chong, Hong Kong Buddhist Association Ppresident Ven Kuan Yun, and Zhoushan Residents’ Association chair Lily Chow.
To celebrate the inaugural flight, the Zhoushan Municipal People’s Government hosted a welcome ceremony including a water salute upon arrival of the flight at Zhoushan Putuoshan International Airport around noon.
Speakers at the ceremony included Wang Xingyue, president of Zhoushan Putuoshan International Airport; GBA chair Wong; undersecretary Liu; Zhejiang Airport Group party committee member Feng Jianhan; and Zhoushan vice-mayor Fang Tiedao.
A renowned pilgrimage site
Putuoshan in Zhoushan is one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China. The statue of the Guanyin / Goddess of Mercy, 18 metres high and the largest outdoor Guanyin statue in Asia is located there, along with several grand temples, including Puji Temple, Fayu Temple and Huiji Temple.
These attractions have helped make Zhoushan a popular holiday destination that attracted more than 17 million local and international tourists including many from Hong Kong in 2023.
With the launch of this new route, more Buddhist pilgrims and visitors are anticipated from Hong Kong and all over the world.
