CHINA's Hainan province has announced the launch of its first intercontinental route between Sanya's Phoenix International Airport and London after China unveiled its plan to add Hainan island to its pilot international free-trade zone.
This new flight route operated by China Southern Airlines not only links Hainan and Europe but also adds a UK stop to Hainan's international flights.
Flight CZ651 departs Sanya at 13:00 every Thursday and Sunday and arrives in London at 18:45. On the return journey, CZ652 departs London at 22:10 and arrives in Sanya at 16:20 the next day.
The British Consulate General Guangzhou Acting Consul General Andrew Ould said: 'Hainan is facilitating the construction of China's free-trade zone. I believe that the launch of the direct flight between Sanya and London will help attract more visitors from the UK to spend their holidays in Sanya and UK-based companies to invest and establish facilities in the city.'
The route between Sanya and London is a step towards implementing Hainan's strategy to allow travellers from 59 countries to enjoy visa-free access to Sanya and will help Sanya deepen communication, trade, cultural and tourism exchanges with the UK and Europe and contributes to Hainan's status as an international free-trade zone.
As of July, Sanya has launched 34 international routes serving 25 destinations such as the UK, Russia, South Korea and Japan, according to the Sanya Tourism Development Commission.
This new flight route operated by China Southern Airlines not only links Hainan and Europe but also adds a UK stop to Hainan's international flights.
Flight CZ651 departs Sanya at 13:00 every Thursday and Sunday and arrives in London at 18:45. On the return journey, CZ652 departs London at 22:10 and arrives in Sanya at 16:20 the next day.
The British Consulate General Guangzhou Acting Consul General Andrew Ould said: 'Hainan is facilitating the construction of China's free-trade zone. I believe that the launch of the direct flight between Sanya and London will help attract more visitors from the UK to spend their holidays in Sanya and UK-based companies to invest and establish facilities in the city.'
The route between Sanya and London is a step towards implementing Hainan's strategy to allow travellers from 59 countries to enjoy visa-free access to Sanya and will help Sanya deepen communication, trade, cultural and tourism exchanges with the UK and Europe and contributes to Hainan's status as an international free-trade zone.
As of July, Sanya has launched 34 international routes serving 25 destinations such as the UK, Russia, South Korea and Japan, according to the Sanya Tourism Development Commission.