3-Dec-2013 9:51 AM
Hainan Airlines applies to launch Beijing-Mumbai-Nairobi and Beijing-New York Newark in 2014
Hainan Airlines applied (02-Dec-2013) with CAAC to launch three times weekly Beijing-Mumbai-Nairobi passenger service with Boeing 767 equipment from Aug-2014 at the earliest as well as twice weekly Beijing-New York Newark passenger service with 787 equipment from Jun-2014 at the earliest. CAAC stated Africa is an important strategic partner for China with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Commerce repeatedly expressed the hope that Chinese carriers will open more routes to Africa. United Airlines operates 14 weekly Beijing-New York Newark, Air China operates 11 times weekly Beijing-New York JFK while China Eastern Airlines operates seven times weekly Shanghai-New York JFK services at present. [more - original PR - Chinese]