Aloha to flights from Beijing to Hawaii

THE first direct flight between the Chinese mainland and Hawaii in the United States is expected to open early next year.

The direct flight between Beijing and Honolulu will be operated by Hainan Airlines, the biggest private airline in China, Xinhua New Agency reported today.

The United States Department of Transportation has approved the business, the report said. Hainan Airlines plans to start the non-stop flight once a week at first and increase flights when the market grows mature, according to Xinhua.

The governor of Hawaii, Linda Lingle, will visit Hainan Province to discuss the flights with airlines during her two-week visit to China, which ends on November 13.

Lingle lectured in Beijing today about Hawaii's attractions for Chinese tourists, and is due to promote the islands in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou in Guangdong Province, Haikou and Sanya in Hainan Province, the report said.

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