CANADA: Beijing Capital Airlines Begins Thrice Weekly Service Between Vancouver And Hangzhou, Via Qingdao

Beijing Capital Airlines has launched new thrice weekly service between Vancouver and Hangzhou, via Qingdao, giving Canadians easy access to two key hubs in China.

The new service, which launched on Jan. 6, between YVR and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) via Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO) is flown on an Airbus 330, with seating for 22 passengers, including 36 in Business and 186 in Economy. Capital Airlines is the sixth mainland Chinese carrier to service YVR – two more than any other airport in North America or Europe.

“I would like to thank Capital Airlines for choosing YVR as its first North American destination,” said Craig Richmond, YVR’s President and CEO. “This new service opens up two amazing new Chinese destinations for all of Canada and is another key milestone in our vision of connecting Asia to the Americas.”

Added Mr. Xu Xin, Chairman of Capital Airlines: “The new Vancouver–Qingdao–Hangzhou route will provide more choices and convenience for travellers and will further strengthen economic and cultural ties between Canada and China. Capital Airlines strives to be a leading brand in the international tourism and air travel industry and we are looking forward to working with YVR.”

In addition to strengthening business and tourism opportunities between China and Canada, this route will have a positive impact on the local economy. The new service brings 123 jobs and $6.2 million in GDP to the province of British Columbia and will add $4.2 million in wages and $2.3 million in taxes.

Located in the central eastern coast of China, Hangzhou is among the country’s seven most ancient cities and is famous for West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has had a profound impact on poets, painters and designers throughout Chinese history. Qingdao, located in northeast China, is a major seaport and industrial centre. In addition to hosting the world’s longest sea bridge, Qingdao is well-known for its diverse economy focused on heavy industry, software, automotive, electronics and banking—and the famous Tsingtao Brewery, the second largest in China.

CHINA: Beijing Capital Airlines targets UK, Australia

Beijing Capital Airlines, the Chinese airline that recently entered the long-haul market, is planning to launch its first flights to the UK and Australia.

According to a statement on the website of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the airline has applied for the permission to launch scheduled services to Birmingham and Melbourne next year.

If approved, the Birmingham service will commence in April 2016, operating twice a week – once from Beijing and once from Hangzhou. The Melbourne route meanwhile, would operate three times a week direct from Qingdao, a port city in Shandong province. All three routes are new city pairs.

Beijing Capital Airlines plans to deploy its 222-seat Airbus A330 aircraft on the routes, configured with 36 seats in business class and 186 in economy.

Previously a domestic and short-haul airline, Beijing Capital launched its first ever long-haul services to Copenhagen in September 2015, connecting the Danish capital with Beijing and Hangzhou. It is also planning to fly to Madrid in December.

The carrier, which is owned by the HNA Group, will take delivery of over 30 new twin-aisle aircraft by end of 2020.

CHINA: China Eastern Plane Diverted Qingdao Following Engine Failure

A China Eastern Airlines flight bound for Shanghai Pudong International Airport was diverted to Qingdao, Shandong Province on Jan. 31, due to single engine failure.

A China Eastern Airlines flight bound for Shanghai Pudong International Airport was forced to make an emergency landing in Qingdao, Shandong Province on Sunday morning after experiencing an engine trouble, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Flight MU5602, performed by an Airbus A321-200 (Registration B-8167), departed from Shenyang Taoxian International Airport at 7:34 p.m. but the crew requested an emergency landing in Qingdao due to the failure of the left-hand engine. The crew shut the engine down and diverted to Qingdao for a safe landing about one hour later. No injuries was reported.

The aircraft landed safely at Qingdao Liuting International Airport at 8:55 a.m., according to VariFlight, China's leading flight status service provider.

The B-8167 aircraft, equipped with CFM56-5B engines, was delivered to China Eastern in November 2015.