Beijing, China — China’s civil aviation authorities have committed to significantly increasing the frequency of international passenger flights this year, aiming to revive global air travel and restore services to pre-pandemic levels.
From May 6 to 12, Chinese and foreign airlines operated a total of 5,493 pairs of scheduled international passenger flights, representing approximately 73 percent of the levels before COVID-19, according to Xu Qing, an official of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
“The CAAC actively supports Chinese and foreign airlines in increasing their capacity on international routes and improving the international route network,” Xu said.
Currently, international passenger flights link China with 70 countries, including five new destinations added since the pandemic: Kuwait, Serbia, Tanzania, Luxembourg, and Papua New Guinea.
Several airlines have launched new international routes to facilitate travel between China and other countries. On April 27, Air China inaugurated the Beijing-Madrid-Sao Paulo route. China Southern Airlines began operating the Shenzhen-Mexico City route on May 11. Additionally, Hainan Airlines is set to launch the Shenzhen-Budapest route, and China Southern Airlines will soon open the Guangzhou-Budapest route.
Xu emphasized that the CAAC will continue to streamline approvals and boost support for international flights, promptly addressing any issues airlines encounter in restoring services. The administration will also guide airlines in enhancing the efficiency of air traffic rights usage to better serve international exchanges and passenger travel.
The move to expand international flights is expected to bolster economic ties, tourism, and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world, offering new opportunities for businesses and travelers alike.
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China vows to actively promote restoration of international flights
cgtn.com
