From October 8 to 11, Sanya in Hainan Province launched three new international flight routes, connecting the coastal city with Minsk in Belarus, a Ulaanbaatar-Sanya-Ulan-Ude service spanning Mongolia and Russia, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. This move expands China's global flight network and reinforces ties with Belt and Road Initiative partner countries.
The inaugural Sanya to Minsk flight achieved a 98 percent passenger occupancy rate, marking the first direct link between the two cities and spotlighting growing interest from European travelers.
The Ulaanbaatar-Sanya-Ulan-Ude route operates under the fifth freedom of the air, allowing carriers to pick up and drop off passengers mid-route. This corridor creates new opportunities for passenger exchange and logistics cooperation across China, Mongolia and Russia.
The Sanya-Kuala Lumpur service leverages the mutual visa-free policy between China and Malaysia, positioning Hainan as a gateway for ASEAN travel and trade in the region.
Industry voices are optimistic. Liu Weikang, president of the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association, said direct flights to Sanya will boost tourism and simplify travel for Malaysian visitors.
These additions bring Sanya's total international routes to 38, covering 29 overseas destinations. As Hainan ramps up tourism promotion across Southeast Asia, Russia and Belarus, its aviation network plays a key role in connecting travelers and markets worldwide.
Reference(s):
Hainan expands international flight routes to boost global exchange
cgtn.com
