Cathay Pacific Airways announced Tuesday that it has been granted rights by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government to operate additional passenger services to Beijing as well as new cargo services to Shanghai and passenger services to Xiamen.

The airline said it has been allocated rights to operate four additional weekly services to Beijing during the Winter 2004 season and a further seven weekly flights from Summer 2005.

The airline will also be allocated rights upon designation to operate three weekly passenger services to Xiamen and 12 weekly freighter services to Shanghai, both with effect from Winter 2004.

With these allocations, Cathay Pacific intends to increase its three-times-weekly service to Beijing to a daily service from December 2004, operate a three-times-weekly passenger service to Xiamen and launch 12 weekly freighter services to Shanghai in 2005, subject to operational requirements.

Cathay Pacific Director and Chief Operating Officer Philip Chen said:"Cathay Pacific is committed and ready to serve key cities in the Chinese mainland in order to strengthen Hong Kong's position as a global aviation hub and the primary gateway to the Chinese mainland".