HANOI - HONG Kong-based Dragonair, a sister airline of Cathay Pacific, has launched daily return flights to Hanoi, the airline said on Monday.

The first flight to the southern Chinese city took off from Noi Bai's international airport Sunday.

The route is the eighth new destination launched by Dragonair since it became part of the Cathay Pacific group in September 2006, it said in a statement.

'We believe our new service will further strengthen business and tourism ties between our home city, Hong Kong, and this vibrant country with its fast-growing economy and rapidly expanding tourism market,' said Dragonair General Manager of Operations, Captain Peter Sanderson.

Dragonair operates a fleet of 32 passenger aircraft and five freighters, serving 34 regional destinations, including 20 cities in mainland China. -- AFP