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News / A look at China's new international routes for 2023
As China entirely lifted its COVID-related restrictions toward international travelers, several airlines plan to open or resume international routes
As China entirely lifted its COVID-related restrictions towards international travelers on January 8th, Chinese domestic airlines and many foreign airlines responded quickly to open or resume several international routes, as well as significantly increase the flight numbers on current international routes.
Additionally, on January 9th, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced the suspension of the policy that all international flights destined for Beijing would be diverted to another Chinese city. The previous policy took effect on March 23rd, 2020, meaning no international scheduled passenger flights had landed in Beijing in almost three years.
All airlines now can direct land in Beijing or the previously designated city if they need a transition period.
ulia Simpson, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), said Chinese tourists around the world contributed $253 billion to the global economy in 2019, and the reopening of Chinese tourism is very good news.
Let's check out some of the recently opened and resumed international flights:
Air China - Beijing to Europe
Air China opened the first direct flight from Shanghai to Athens last December and will operate the 10.5-hour flight once a week.
Air China announced to resume of flights from Beijing to Geneva, Switzerland, from January 26th, and Shanghai to Frankfurt, Germany, from January 10th.
Air China - Beijing to U.S.
According to the US Department of Transportation, Air China has submitted its route plan for the first quarter of 2023, indicating it will increase the number of flights to Los Angeles and resume the routes to New York, San Francisco, and Washington.
| From January 18th to March 25th | CA987/8 | Beijing to Los Angeles | Increased to a daily service |
| From January 18th to March 25th | CA981/2 | Beijing to New York | Resumed with a daily service |
| From March 1st to March 25th | CA985/6 | Beijing to San Francisco | Resumed with four flights a week |
| From March 1st to March 25th | CA817/8 | Beijing to Washington | Resumed with three flights a week |
China Southern – Shenzhen to Amsterdam
Besides the route between Guangzhou and Amsterdam, China Southern opened a route from Shenzhen to Amsterdam on January 2nd. The route will operate every Monday and Wednesday.
Xiamen Airlines – connect Southeast Asia
Xiamen Airlines opened several international routes to cities in Southeast Asia, including Xiamen to Jakarta, Indonesia, Hangzhou to Singapore, Tianjin to Bangkok, Thailand, and Chongqing to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Thai Airways – Bangkok to Chengdu
As Thailand welcomed all Chinese tourists back to the country, its flag carrier quickly opened a new route from Bangkok to Chengdu, southwestern China's biggest city. The operation will start on January 19th and will be operated every Thursday.
Capital Airlines – Beijing to Male
Capital Airlines plans to launch a direct international flight from Beijing Daxing to Male, Maldives, on January 18th, with two weekly flights, providing new options for travelers during the Spring Festival.
Capital Airlines is one of the four that has now resumed a direct flight between China and London, UK. The other three are three state-owned giant airlines, Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern.
