PHNOM PENH - China's Hong Kong Airlines will launch thrice-weekly flight service to Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia from Feb 27, an airline senior official said on Friday.

An all-economy-class Airbus A320 aircraft, with a full capacity of 174 passengers, will be operated on the Hong Kong-Phnom Penh route every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, said Johnny Wan, deputy general manager at the airline's business development department.

He said the new service will further strengthen the airline's network in Asia and offer more choices and greater convenience to passengers travelling to and from Cambodia.

"With the booming economic growth in Cambodia, the new direct flight service to Phnom Penh will connect passengers from around the world into the burgeoning country," he said during the airline introduction seminar.

"The direct flight will offer more choices and increased convenience to Cambodians travelling out of their country and connecting to our network in Mainland China, further promoting the tourism and business ties between Hong Kong and Cambodia," he added.

Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines is operating 27 new Airbus aircraft, connecting Hong Kong with over 30 major cities across the Asia-Pacific region, Johnny said.

Hong Kong Airlines will be the third Hong Kong to Cambodia service, adding to Dragonair and Hong Kong Express.