BEIJING- Chinese airlines such as Air China (CA) have reinstated several direct flights connecting Chinese cities with US destinations. Notably, Air China’s flight CA8-17 is now operational, covering the route from Beijing (PEK) to Washington D.C. (IAD)
In addition, both China Hainan Airlines and China Eastern Airlines are in the process of resuming direct flights between the two countries. Reporting from Beijing Capital International Airport, You Yang provides more details.
Air China US Flights
YOU YANG, Beijing: “Direct flights connecting the Chinese capital, Beijing, with the United States’ capital, Washington, have resumed operations from Beijing Capital International Airport. As seen on the information board behind me, the Air China flight, numbered CA817, will run twice a week, with the return leg including a stopover in Los Angeles.”
“I find the direct flight very convenient. Previously, it used to take me around 20 hours to travel from Beijing to Washington D.C., including stopovers in other cities. The direct flight only takes me 13 to 14 hours to reach Washington, D.C.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic alleviation, the reinstatement of flights between China and the U.S. has been under vigilant observation.
As per the Civil Aviation Administration of China, there is an anticipated rise in the number of regular passenger flights between the two nations from 48 per week to 70 during the 2023/2024 winter and spring flight season.
This expansion aims to enhance convenience for travelers and promote economic and trade interactions between China and the U.S. Additionally, companies such as Hainan Airlines and China Eastern Airlines are in the process of planning the resumption of direct flights between the two sides.
Other Chinese Carriers to Follow
LUO JUN, Secretary of the Party Committee of the CPC Hainan Airlines Beijing Base, highlighted, ‘The primary challenge impeding the further recovery of China-U.S. flights at this stage is the progress of negotiations between the two sides regarding aviation rights. In 2019, Hainan Airlines operated up to 14 direct flight routes between China and the United States, maintaining an average weekly flight volume of over 40. We aim to accelerate the resumption of flights between China and the U.S. while fostering bilateral people-to-people exchanges.’
During his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping urged both nations to promote people-to-people exchanges collaboratively.
These efforts encompass expanding direct flights, enhancing tourism cooperation, fortifying educational collaboration, and more.
Xi emphasized that fostering increased interactions and communication between the two nations will contribute to establishing a robust foundation for the healthy development of China-U.S. relations.
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