Air China schedules more flights to meet increasing outbound trips

Air China announced at a news conference on Wednesday that it will increase international flights to meet the growing outbound travel demand during the coming summer holiday.

The airline plans to expand input into international flight capacity, Zhao Li, an executive from the company, said at the conference.

The company will open new routes such as Beijing to Dhaka, and Chengdu to Milan, resume the Shanghai-Barcelona route, and intensify the frequency of flights on another 13 international routes such as Beijing to Copenhagen and Chengdu to Singapore, Zhao said.

By then, the number of Air China's international and regional routes will be restored to 114, or more than 90 percent of the level in 2019, covering 43 countries and regions across six continents.

In cooperation with other member airlines of the Star Alliance, a global aviation alliance, Air China's flight network is to expand to nearly 1,200 destinations worldwide.

Serving the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, Air China is committed to building the "Air Silk Road" and supporting high-level opening-up, said the company.

Currently, the airline has opened 61 routes connecting 36 cities across 28 countries involved in the initiative. Flights to these destinations account for 60 percent of the company's total international routes, providing more space and opportunities for economic cooperation and cultural exchanges between the Belt and Road countries and regions.

As a major carrier between China and Europe, Air China has captured more than 28 percent of the market share. It operates 32 routes to Europe, with 53 flights shuttling daily between Chinese and European cities.

To date, its overall European flights have recovered to 116 percent of the level in 2019. Passengers can depart from multiple cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Chongqing, connecting to Air China's European flight network.

Leveraging a deep partnership with German airline Lufthansa at its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, Air China said its passengers can reach various destinations across Europe with a single transfer.