China's first direct flight to Ireland between Beijing and Dublin will be launched by Hainan Airlines, aiming to facilitate bilateral tourism and economic exchanges, the company announced on Thursday, March 15. The new direct airline will be operated by Airbus A330 aircraft.
The flight linking Beijing and Dublin will come into operation on June 12, with the flight from Beijing to Dublin taking off each Thursday and Sunday and the return flight taking off each Tuesday and Saturday. The company also decided to launch Beijing's first direct flight to Edinburgh. Flights linking Dublin and Edinburgh will also be opened.
Hainan Airlines said that the new airlines are not only a new move for Hainan Airlines to continuously expand its international airline network and smooth passengers’ trip, but also a powerful measure for Hainan Airlines to respond to the “Belt and Road” initiative, promote China’s civil aviation “going out” and achieve the goal of China’s civil aviation power.
Hainan Airlines also inked strategic cooperation agreements with the airports of Dublin and Edinburgh, as well as Tourism Ireland and VisitScotland to promote people-to-people and economic exchanges.