Austrian Airlines links Vienna (VIE) and Hong Kong (HKG). A Boeing 777 serves the route up to five times weekly. The route follows Austrian service to five other Asian destinations — Bangkok (BKK), Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG), the Maldives (MLE) and Sri Lanka (CMB). During the winter season, the airline offers 23 weekly non-stop flights to Asia. Flights to the Maldives and Sri Lanka begin in October. “Following the successful expansion of our flight offering to North America, we are now focusing on Greater China. In spite of the latest reports about an economic downturn, growth forecasts still predict promising economic expansion for Greater China in the coming years. For this reason, especially for large cities such as Shanghai and Hong Kong, we foresee an interesting potential for Austrian Airlines in its role as the air traffic backbone for industry and tourism in Austria,” said Andreas Otto, CCO, Austrian Airlines. Flights depart Vienna Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 17:50, arriving at 11:25 the next day. Return flights depart Hong Kong Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 12:55, arriving back in Vienna at 19:25. “Direct flights are one of the driving forces behind the growth of bed nights — the new flight from Hong Kong by Austrian Airlines, our most important strategic partner, will help boost an already strong influx of guests from China to new levels,” said Norbert Kettner, director, Vienna Tourist Board.