China's Civil Aviation Administration has set a clear mission for this year: rejuvenate international air travel by ramping up the frequency of international passenger flights. This ambitious goal aims to reconnect China with the world, fostering both economic and cultural exchanges.
From May 6 to 12, Chinese and foreign airlines operated a total of 5,493 pairs of scheduled international passenger flights. This number represents approximately 73 percent of the flight levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Xu Qing, an official of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
Currently, international passenger flights link China with 70 countries. Since the pandemic, five new destinations have been added: Kuwait, Serbia, Tanzania, Luxembourg, and Papua New Guinea. Xu emphasized, \"The CAAC actively supports Chinese and foreign airlines in increasing their capacity on international routes and improving the international route network.\"
Several airlines have taken significant strides in expanding their global reach. For instance, Air China launched the Beijing-Madrid-Sao Paulo route on April 27, enhancing connectivity between China and major European and South American hubs. Similarly, China Southern Airlines commenced operations on the Shenzhen-Mexico City route on May 11, opening up direct travel options between China and North America.
Looking ahead, Hainan Airlines is set to introduce the Shenzhen-Budapest route, while China Southern Airlines plans to open the Guangzhou-Budapest route soon. These new connections are poised to facilitate smoother travel experiences and strengthen international ties.
The CAAC remains committed to streamlining the approval process and providing robust support to airlines, ensuring that any challenges in restoring international services are swiftly addressed. Xu added, \"The CAAC will guide airlines in enhancing the efficiency of air traffic rights usage, thereby better serving international exchanges and passenger travel.\"
Reference(s):
China vows to actively promote restoration of international flights
cgtn.com
