Hainan Airlines Launches New Dublin-Beijing Route
Hainan Airlines, China’s largest independent airline have announced a new year-round service from Dublin to Beijing from 12th June, which will be Ireland’s first direct route to mainland China.
The new route was announced at a reception in the Irish Embassy in Beijing today, attended by the Tánaiste Simon Coveney T.D. and representatives from Dublin Airport, Hainan Airlines, Beijing Airport and Tourism Ireland.
The Tánaiste, commenting on the announcement said: “This first ever direct route to mainland China and the first Irish destination in Hainan Airline’s international network is a major achievement, which will prove transformational to the bilateral relationship between China and Ireland.”
Dublin Airport Managing Director, Vincent Harrison said “This is a hugely significant announcement for the Irish economy. 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.”
Two-way trade between Ireland and China is currently estimated to be worth more than €14.9 billion per year. This new direct route will greatly facilitate Irish firms and exporters with operations and clients in China, as well as China’s financial services and technology companies investing in Ireland. Ireland is also home to more than 5,000 Chinese students attending Irish educational institutions.
Hainan Airlines Chairman Bao Qifa said of their new route launch: “This opening of the first nonstop service from Beijing to Dublin will provide new facilities to stimulate the development of Sino-Irish relations.”
China’s capital city Beijing has a population of almost 12 million people and is the most popular destination for air travel between Ireland and China. Mr Harrison said that “this new route will provide direct connectivity to Beijing and convenient connections to other key Chinese cities via Hainan’s hub in the Chinese capital.”
Hainan will operate flights from Dublin to Beijing four times per week. On two days per week, the service will be direct non-stop flights between Dublin and Beijing. On the other two days, the flights will operate with a stopover in Edinburgh.