Hong Kong Airlines Ltd. will launch a regular flight service on Sept. 6 between Hong Kong and Naha, Okinawa Prefecture, the transport ministry said Monday.

The carrier will offer a round-trip night flight on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays using a Boeing 737. Its sister airline, Hong Kong Express, already flies on a daily basis between the two cities.

"I assume the move by Hong Kong Airlines reflects the growth in the number of Chinese travelers to Japan," a ministry official said. "We are also planning regular flights by the carrier linking Hong Kong with Narita and Haneda airports."