The route from Pazhou terminal to the TST terminal, located at China Hong Kong City, had been on trial runs since April 14.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said that the trial operation has been popular among Hong Kong businessmen due to the greater convenience getting to the China Import and Export Fair, which ends today after opening its doors on April 15.

"The connection between Pazhou - a subdistrict of Haizhu in southeastern Guangzhou - and Hong Kong International Airport demonstrates the complementary advantages of the Greater Bay Area," Lee said.

"The new route can give full play to the unique advantage of Hong Kong's international flight network and help the fair become internationalized. This can also enhance the development and competitiveness of the Greater Bay Area," he added.

Adult fares from Pazhou to Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal are 220 yuan (HK$250).

Adult tickets to the airport from Pazhou are priced at 360 yuan, while children enjoy concessionary fares of 260 yuan.

Prices from the airport to Pazhou are HK$295 for adults and HK$200 for children.

The air passenger departure tax of HK$120 is waived for passengers who take the ferry to the airport for connecting flights.

Passengers flying out of the mainland will not have to go through immigration and customs clearance upon arriving at the airport. Ten airlines have set up luggage check-in services at THE Pazhou Ferry Terminal.

Lee said Hong Kong has started allowing passengers to transit to other piers in the Greater Bay Area via the airport without having to go through immigration procedures as early as 2009.

Pazhou Ferry Terminal is the seventh port in the Pearl River Delta that provides services to travelers from Hong Kong and Guangzhou.