Airline News
Mainland carriers boost long-haul networks
March 16th 2015
China’s “Big Three + 1” carriers – Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines – are looking to increase their presence in the US and Africa as visa liberalisation and strong trade flows facilitate market entry. Read More »
Shanghai-based China Eastern last week announced a thrice-weekly Nanjing – Los Angeles A330-200 service from June 30, while Hainan said it would start three new non-stop services between China and the US this summer. Beginning June 15, it will commence five-weekly Beijing – San Jose B787-8 operations, as well as thrice-weekly flights on the Shanghai – Boston route, also operated by Boeing’s Dreamliner. On June 20, Hainan will also add a new Shanghai – Seattle A330-200 service. The carrier already serves Boston and Seattle from Beijing, and as such will become the first Chinese carrier to serve a US point from multiple Chinese cities.
Meanwhile, while also having increased their presence in the US over the past six months, Beijing’s Air China and Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines have vowed to boost connectivity to Africa. To this end, Air China will start a thrice-weekly Beijing – Johannesburg B777-300ER service from mid-June, and a thrice-weekly Addis Ababa A330-200 rotation from October, while China Southern plans to ply the Guangzhou – Nairobi route from August 5 with thrice-weekly A330-200 flights.
As with most Mainland carriers’ long-haul routes, the Chinese government is expected to be subsidizing these new routes. A major investor in Africa, China has an interest in establishing these crucial air links, least of all to transport cargo and the growing number of Chinese migrant works between countries. In related news, China’s state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has repeatedly named Africa a potential high growth market for its ARJ21 and C919 aircraft.
