If you’ve always had a desire to visit China, Vancouver International Airport has recently added two new ways to visit the far east. The airport, which has launched more than a dozen new flights to Asia-Pacific this year alone, offers service to mainland China on six international carriers, two more than any other airport in North America.

Now the flight map from YVR will add new service to Hong Kong on Hong Kong Airlines, the carrier’s first stop in North America, as well as new service to Nanjing, China with YVR’s existing partner, China Eastern.

Hong Kong Airlines

Hong Kong Airlines (HX) will begin daily non-stop service between Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and YVR, starting June 30, 2017. This service, which will operate year-round, is the airline's first foray into North America.

"Hong Kong Airlines is a well-known, family-friendly airline based in a world-class city, and we are thrilled to be able to offer the public even more options to travel between Vancouver and Hong Kong," said Craig Richmond, president and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority. "Every new airline that chooses to fly to YVR means more jobs for the local economy and creates new opportunities for British Columbians."

Initially, Hong Kong Airlines will use an Airbus 330-200 with 283 seats on the route. But Hong Kong Airlines has 15 next-generation Airbus 350-900s on order, with the first delivery set for the third quarter of 2017. The airline has one of the youngest fleets in the world, with an average aircraft age of just 4.1 years.

Hong Kong Airlines launched in 2002 but in 2006 it became part of the HNA Group when it was purchased by Hainan Airlines. (Hainan Airlines offers service three times a week between Beijing and Calgary as well as daily service between Toronto and Beijing.)

China Eastern

China Eastern (MU) is the latest airline to expand services from YVR to mainland China, with the launch of new thrice weekly non-stop service to Nanjing. The new flight will commence on December 20 and will be Canada’s first direct flight into Nanjing. 

"We are very pleased to hear that China Eastern will soon start service to Nanjing, one of China's most beautiful and dynamic cities,” said Richmond. “I want to thank China Eastern for their continued support and for further connecting YVR to the world."

Nanjing, located in the Yangtze River Delta, is one of China's four great ancient capitals. It's also home to one of the world's largest inland ports and is a key global economic hub that is also home to a number of high-ranking universities.

"China Eastern Airlines has been operating from Vancouver to China for the past 12 years,” said Mr. Xiangying Rong, General Manager of China Eastern Airlines Vancouver Office. “Vancouver to Nanjing is our third direct flight from Western Canada to China. This provides passengers with more options when flying with China Eastern to China and beyond."

The new service will utilize an Airbus A330-200 aircraft and will fly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, arriving at YVR at 8:30 a.m. and departing at 10:30 a.m. China Eastern also offers double daily service between YVR and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and non-stop service to Kunming.

For more information, please visit www.yvr.ca.

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