03 Apr 2023

China Aviation Industry Newsletter

Air China restores London Gatwick service

Air China has announced resumption of services between London Gatwick and Beijing Capital International Airport operating four flights per week, increasing to a daily service from 24th April using Airbus A330-200 aircraft, it will be the first since early 2020 that flights have run between Gatwick and China, and will support increasing demand for travel between the two countries. Air China London General Manager Jingjie Li said "We are delighted to resume our direct service from London Gatwick to Beijing. We are well prepared to serve passengers travelling between the UK and China, and via our hub at Beijing Capital Airport to beyond."

AirAsia X expands network to China

AirAsia X (AAX) continues to expand its Chinese route network with two weekly flights to Beijing. The route is expected to stimulate business travel and tourism in both markers, with the potential surge in demand for international travel to China following its recent decision to begin reissuing tourist visas. AirAsia X Malaysia CEO, Benyamin Ismail said: “Our service resumption to Beijing reflects our commitment to boosting our network in China, which has historically always been one of our biggest and most popular markets and providing our guests with more options to travel affordably from/to Kuala Lumpur. We are also looking at ramping up the frequency to four weekly flights starting 1st June 2023 to meet growing forecast demand, further boosting exchanges between the world’s second-largest economy and ASEAN, and the region’s tourism recovery. “More expansion in China is on the horizon for AAX as we plan to relaunch more routes and introduce more unique, less travelled destinations in China in the near future.”

First Airbus A321neo delivered to HK Express

Airbus has announced the successful delivery of its first Airbus A321neo to the low-cost carrier HK Express, a member of Cathay Pacific Group based in Hong Kong. This milestone marks the first of 16 A321neo aircraft for HK Express. HK Express CEO Mandy Ng said "As an operator of the A320 Family, we are confident in the A321neo’s game-changing ability to provide more capacity with greater sustainability. At HK Express, the A321neo is key in our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment."

Hong Kong Airlines Boosts Regional Network

Hong Kong Airlines has increased its flight capacity to meet the rising demand. In addition to its previously announced new Fukuoka service on 7 April. The carrier announced a four-times weekly service between Hong Kong and Phuket starting from 16 June, as carrier aims to strengthen and expand the connectivity between Hong Kong and regional destinations, thereby facilitating a wider range of travel alternatives for passengers.

Acumen Aviation © 3 April 2023 All Rights Reserved.