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 Air Canada 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 Air Canada (TSX:AC.B).

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