{"id":21913,"date":"2022-06-27T16:19:05","date_gmt":"2022-06-27T10:49:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=21913"},"modified":"2022-06-27T17:17:01","modified_gmt":"2022-06-27T11:47:01","slug":"etihad-airways-becomes-the-first-international-airline-to-restart-direct-flights-to-beijing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2022\/06\/27\/etihad-airways-becomes-the-first-international-airline-to-restart-direct-flights-to-beijing\/","title":{"rendered":"Etihad Airways becomes the first international airline to restart direct flights to Beijing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a signal that Chinese President XI Jinping could be prepared to loosen the country\u2019s vice-like grip on controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and maintaining its \u2018dynamic zero\u2019 policy, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways<\/a> is set to become the first international airline to resume direct flights with Beijing since the beginning of the pandemic. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fact that Etihad has been chosen as the first airline outside of China to connect Beijing with the outside world should arrive as no surprise. The Chinese government has maintained close diplomatic ties with the rulers of Abu Dhabi<\/a> and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) throughout the pandemic.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Etihad continued to fly to Beijing <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a government-owned airline, Etihad continued to fly to Beijing in March 2020 at the outset of the pandemic even after every other international airline had pulled out of the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Etihad Airways | Aviationa2z.com<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

At the time, the airline told its decision to continue flying near-empty planes to the Chinese capital showed Etihad\u2019s (and therefore the Abu Dhabi government\u2019s) \u201cunwavering help and commitment to our Chinese partners and the China market as a whole.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somewhat optimistically, Etihad\u2019s chief operating officer at the period Robin Kamark said he expected load factors on flights between Abu Dhabi and Beijing to enhance by Summer 2020.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, that prediction turned out to be spectacularly wrong and even Etihad was forced to suspend services as China\u2019s Communist Party focused on turning Beijing into a COVID-free fortress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China\u2019s commitment to keeping its seat of power virus-free succeeded during last year\u2019s Winter Olympics but Omicron variants have proven a major challenge. President Xi has staked his reputation on his COVID Zero strategy but a change could be introduced after the National Congress of the Communist Party later this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Etihad could be poised to take advantage of any relaxation restrictions as soon as they arrive after it restarts flights to Beijing from June 29. Initially, the airline will work just one flight per week on a Boeing 787-9 \u2013 a sure sign that with travel permits and tough quarantine rules still in place, Etihad isn\u2019t expecting much need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China and the United Arab Emirates <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChina has always been an important strategic market for Etihad and the resumption of direct flights between the two capital cities will further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the United Arab Emirates,\u201d<\/a> commented Martin Drew, Senior Vice President GlobalSales & Cargo at Etihad Aviation Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, read <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n