HK shares open up 0.9 pct; Air China jumps

HONG KONG, July 15 (Reuters) - Hong Kong shares will open up 0.9 percent on Wednesday following better-than-expected earnings from two U.S. bellwethers, while Air China shares are set to soar after an upbeat profit forecast from China's flag carrier.

Air China (0753.HK) will start 6.1 percent higher at HK$4.20 after the airline said it expected to see at least a 50 percent year-on-year rise in profit for the first half of 2009 as fuel costs fell and the domestic air passenger market showed stable growth.

The benchmark Hang Seng Index .HSI was up 156.86 points at 18,042.59.

The China Enterprises Index .HSCE, which represents top locally listed mainland Chinese stocks, will start 0.8 percent higher at 10,740.87. (Reporting by Parvathy Ullatil; Editing by Jonathan Hopfner)