Direct route from Edinburgh to Beijing Photo Ian Georgeson
Edinburgh Airport has announced this morning that direct flights to Beijing will start this summer.
Hainan Airlines will begin flying to Beijing from Edinburgh Airport (sometimes through Dublin Airport) four times weekly from 12 June using Airbus A330-300.
This is regarded by the airport as a success in working with colleagues in China in a move which they believe will be beneficial to Scotland’s economy, culture and tourism.
Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine said:
“This latest success for Edinburgh Airport is a fantastic boost not just for the city but for Scotland as a whole.
“Tourism is our biggest industry and a tremendous driver of jobs. This will open another door to the festival, our city and the country to help bolster an already successful industry.
“Edinburgh is already a tremendous draw with the pandas, the festival and our many historic buildings but this an excellent opportunity to strengthen the link between Edinburgh and China.
“However if flight numbers are to increase I hope the airport will continue to recognise the importance of consulting local communities, and ensuring their voices are heard.”VisitScotland welcome the new route which their Chief Executive says is an ‘exciting gear change’. He added : “Already in recent years we have seen a steady rise in Chinese visitors to our shores and have been working closely with businesses across Scotland to help them to access this important opportunity. At the same time, we have been working with Chinese travel companies to continue to develop the range of Scottish holidays available to their clients.
“At our own VisitScotland Expo travel trade fair in Glasgow next month we will be hosting 35 Chinese tour operators, keen to do business with Scotland, and today’s announcement by Hainan Airlines will offer further encouragement for them to drive forward their plans to increase the number of Chinese visitors choosing Scotland as their next destination.”
Chief Executive of Edinburgh, Gordon Dewar 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.”
The culmination of more than three years of work, Gordon added that relationship building and working with partners in both countries has been crucial to the announcement:
“A number of organisations shared our vision in attracting this route to Scotland, and it’s testament to our working together with both UK and Scottish governments and bodies such as Scottish Enterprise, Visit Scotland and Edinburgh Hoteliers Association among others that we’ve finally achieved it. Edinburgh Tourism Action Group’s China Ready programme has also prepared the city for this growing market, so we are in good shape.
“Of course, we’ve also built close relationships with firms in China who have been instrumental in this development and we thank them for their assistance. Hainan Airlines have been a huge help and they must be congratulated for this innovative approach to tie the Celtic capitals of Edinburgh and Dublin into the route and open up these cities to the Chinese market.
“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.”
Mr Bao Qifa`s, chairman of Hainan Airlines, said: “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.”
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Keith Brown said: “This new air link between Scotland and China is excellent news, helping to strengthen relations between our two countries and build on the cultural and economic links that we already share.
“China is a major importer of Scottish goods and services – food and drink in particular – and this flight will give Scottish businesses a direct link into this important market. It will also make it even easier for Chinese visitors to experience our fantastic tourism offering and get a taste of our world-renowned Scottish hospitality.
“I congratulate both Edinburgh Airport and Hainan Airlines on securing this new service and have no doubt it will prove a great success. I look forward to the flights taking off later this year.”
City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Adam McVey said: “As the Gateway to Scotland, Edinburgh Airport is well-placed to welcome visitors from an ever increasing global range of destinations. A direct flight path from the Capital to China has been a coveted route for many years, and today’s confirmation of the country’s first route to Beijing is a major coup for the city.
“The Council has worked hard to lay the foundations for this connection to the world’s fastest growing economy. Working with the Airport and Marketing Edinburgh, I am pleased we have helped deliver this substantial outreach to Asia for tourism, business travel and investment opportunities.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
