Recently, relaxed visa policies in several countries have significantly boosted travel demand and fuelled further growth in the air travel market.
Many Chinese airline companies opened, or planned to open, or resumed international routes, with more direct flights connecting Guangdong and overseas cities becoming available.
(Photo provided to GDToday)
Shenzhen-Mexico
China Southern Airlines commenced flights from Shenzhen to Mexico City twice weekly starting on May 11.
The flight, covering over 14,000 kilometers and running twice weekly, is currently the only direct passenger route from China to Mexico, and from China to Latin America.
Outbound flights will depart from Shenzhen at 9 p.m. local time every Tuesday and Saturday, and arrive in Mexico City at 11 p.m. local time. Inbound flights depart from Mexico City at 1 a.m. local time every Wednesday and Sunday, and arrive in Shenzhen at 12:20 p.m. local time the following day.
Guangzhou-Pakse
Lao Airlines is launching direct flights between the Pakse district of southern Laos' Champasak province and Guangzhou, providing another travel option during Visit Laos Year 2024.
An Airbus A320 will operate this route, with one flight a week departing from Pakse on Sunday and the return flight departing from Guangzhou on Monday, as reported by Lao National Radio on May 16.
Guangzhou-Manama
On May 30, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner of Gulf Air successfully landed at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, marking the opening of the first direct flight from Manama, the capital city of Bahrain, to Guangzhou.
This international flight will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner three times a week. The flight GF122 departs at 11 pm (local time) from Bahrain International Airport every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and arrives at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport the next day at 12 am (local time).
The return flight, GF123, departs at 5 pm (local time) from Guangzhou every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday and arrives at Bahrain International Airport at 8:40 pm (local time).
Shenzhen-Vienna
A direct air route linking south China's tech hub Shenzhen and the Austrian capital Vienna has been resumed, Hainan Airlines, the flight's operator, said on Friday (May 31).
The first flight on the route took off from Shenzhen Baoan International Airport early Wednesday morning (local time) and arrived at Vienna International Airport at 7:55 a.m. (local time) on the same day, marking the resumption of Hainan Airlines's operations in Austria after the COVID-19 pandemic.
So far, Hainan Airlines has launched direct flights linking Shenzhen with major overseas cities such as Vancouver, Paris, Rome, Milan and Brussels.
Shenzhen-Riyadh
China Southern Airlines has launched the plan of commencing direct flights between Shenzhen and Riyadh from June.
Shenzhen-Budapest
Hainan Airlines intends to start Shenzhen-Budapest flights twice weekly from June 21.
Guangzhou-Budapest
Starting from June 27, China Southern Airlines will launch a new direct route to Budapest, the capital of Hungary.
The Guangzhou-Budapest route will be operated by a Boeing 787-7 every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. The flight (CZ649/650) will take off at 00:50 am (local time) from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and arrive at Budapest Airport at 07:20 am (local time).
Guangzhou-Istanbul
China Southern Airlines will open a direct route to Istanbul, Türkiye, on June 28. The Guangzhou-Istanbul flight CZ8065/8066 will take off every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Guangzhou-Perth
Starting on November 28, China Southern Airlines will resume direct flights between Guangzhou and Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, in order to meet the increasing demand for passenger travel between China and Australia.
Here are the details:
Currently, passengers can purchase tickets through the airline's official website, its app, WeChat mini-program, or the service hotline 95539.
Author | Holly
Editor | Olivia, Monica, James
Source | GDToday, Xinhua, China Daily, CGTN
