Hainan Airlines is expanding its operations in the UK and Ireland, with the airline confirming it is to launch operations to Edinburgh (Scotland) and Dublin (Ireland).
Hainan Airlines Airbus A330-300 – Image, Hainan Airlines
The new routes launch on 12th of June connecting the three cities in a triangle fashion – creating an effective four-times a week service.
Information has been scant on timing, with the direct flight NOT showing up in their booking engine (this page will be updated
Beijing-Dublin (Direct)
DEPART PEK 01:30 ARRIVE DUB 06:00 Thursdays and Sundays DEPART DUB 11:00 ARRIVE PEK 05:00+1 Tuesdays and Saturdays Commences 12th June Booked Equipment: Airbus A330 Operates as above.
Beijing-Edinburgh-Dublin
DEPART PEK 01:30 ARRIVE EDIT DEPART DUB 09:10 Tuesdays and Saturdays DEPART DUB 08:00 ARRIVE EDIT DEPART ARRIVE PEK 05:00+1 Thursdays and Sundays ** EXACT TIMES OF EDI ARRIVE/DEPART NOT GIVEN. AWAITING INFORMATION ** Commences 12th June 2018 Booked Equipment: Airbus A330 Operates as above.
There is a lot of PR fluff that’s been going on with these launches. Let’s check out Hainan Airlines Chairman Bao Qifa comment
“As a five-star Airline and an outstanding representative of Chinese national enterprises, Hainan Airlines actively participates in the “One Belt One Road Initiative”, and is committed to become the forerunner and practitioner of achieving China’s civil aviation power. By continuously expanding and improving our international network, Hainan Airlines dedicates to bringing more convenience to people’s life. This opening of the first nonstop service from Beijing to Dublin and Edinburgh will provide new facilities to stimulate the development of Sino-Irish and Sino-British relations.”
Dublin Airport Managing Director Vincent Harrison is enthusiastic with move, stating
“Hainan’s new Dublin-Beijing route links not just our two capital cities, but also our two countries. It is great news for tourism and trade and this improved connectivity will create new jobs throughout Ireland”
Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, Gordon Dewar also said:
“This is a fantastic day for Edinburgh Airport and for Scotland as we connect Scotland and China for the first time. We are two countries steeped in history and rich in culture, offering new destinations for people from both countries to visit and explore. “Edinburgh is second only to London as the most popular UK destination for Chinese tourists, and we have worked incredibly hard with partners across the city and country to get to this point. “This is an incredibly exciting day for the airport, for the city and for the country. Tourism is one of our biggest economic drivers and still has masses of potential to unleash – let’s use this opportunity to drive it forward.”
The routes will be operated with an Airbus A330-300. This is configured with 32 flat-bed business class seats in a 1-2-1 formation and 260 economy class seats in a 2-4-2 formation. All seats offer AVOD, whilst power at seat is in Business Class only.
Tickets for the new routes will go on sale in the near future.
For a new service like this, it will depend on a mixture of traffic – tourism, business, but also connecting traffic. With China in the position its in, there are good connection opportunities to Mainland China, Asia and Australasia
And ultimately, the survival of a route like this will depend how the airline manages all three traffic sources and it mixes together.
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