SHANGHAI, China – Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard is hinting there could be direct flights between Montreal and Beijing within the next year.

Couillard is on a trade mission to China along with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Prince Edward Island Premier Robert Ghiz.

Couillard is still cautious about the possible Montreal-Beijing flights, saying the approval process in China is very complicated and hasn’t yet been settled.

A meeting is scheduled on Wednesday involving ********** executives, Chinese civil aviation authorities and James Cherry, head of the Montreal airport authority.

Cherry says the flights would be operated by Air China, a partner of ********** (TSX:AC.B).

He adds that figures indicate there are enough passengers to make the route profitable.