Under the new Air Service Agreement passenger flights can now increase from the current maximum of 40 per week for each nation to up to 100. There will be no limit on the number of all-cargo services, creating new opportunities for trade and businesses. A restriction on the number of destinations that airlines can serve has also been lifted, meaning services can be operated between any point in the UK and any point in China. Up until now, airlines could only serve six destinations in each country.
China has now become the largest inbound travel market for Indonesia ahead of Singapore, Malaysia and Australia and figures from Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency for the first quarter of this year show it now accounts for almost one in five foreign tourist arrivals into the country.
A mix of existing and new airline partners officially signed-up to serve the fast-expanding Chinese gateway during a behind closed doors meeting on the opening day of business at World Routes and it is our understanding that there is more news to follow, with at least one other airline set to announce its expansion into Chengdu in the coming days.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport currently ranks as the fourth largest aviation hub in mainland China and significant new route additions since it hosted Routes Asia in 2012 have included a direct British Airways link to London Heathrow, a Qatar Airways service to Doha, and a first direct flight to the United States with a United Airlines operation to San Francisco.
Chengdu’s increasing accessibility and dynamic economy have ensured that it is now recognised as a leading centre for foreign investment and development. Tax and investment incentives for foreign firms, together with low labour costs and high growth markets, have equipped Chengdu with a competitive edge to rival its coastal counterparts Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong.
