Air China to Commence Beijing-Hawaii Nonstop Service

- An additional pleasant option for holidaymakers

BEIJING, Oct. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - At an October 29 evening gala held at Kempinski Hotel in Beijing, Air China and Hawaii Tourism Authority announced that Air China's Beijing-Hawaii nonstop service will start on January 21, 2014. The new service will make Air China the first carrier operating nonstop links between Beijing and Hawaii, and make Hawaii the carrier's 6^th destination in North America in addition to New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston and Vancouver. The new route will further bolster the strategic position of Air China's hub in Beijing, cement the carrier's global network and offer an additional pleasant travel option to Hawaii-bound holidaymakers.

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In attendance at the gala were Air China Marketing Vice Managing Director Jin Yingjie, Air China North China Marketing & Sales Center Vice Managing Director Zhang Renning, U.S. Embassy in China Commercial Officer Yasue Pai, exhibitors from Hawaii, outbound travel agencies of Beijing and representatives from media. Dancers from Hawaii treated the audience to distinctive Hula dance, which is a showcase of Hawaii's indigenous culture.

Hawaii, known as "living paradise," is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. Located in the central Pacific Ocean, Hawaii boasts diverse sceneries. Waikiki is advertised as one of the world's most beautiful beaches. Primitive volcanic wonders are ready to impress.

As the birthplace of modern surfing, Hawaii offers a wide range of facilities for such outdoor activities as sailing, scuba diving and golfing. Holidaymakers from around the world don't want to leave without visiting the largest DFS open-air shopping mall in the U.S. and the U.S. Pacific Fleet Headquarters in Pearl Harbor.

In recent years, China's market demand for travel to Hawaii has been growing rapidly. Statistics show that in 2012 Chinese traveler numbers increased by 64%year-on-year, and most travelers came from Shanghai and Beijing, accounting for over 80% of the total. To meet the market demand, Air China will inaugurate Beijing- Hawaii route on January 21, 2014. The flights, CA837/8, will be operated with A330 widebodies three times a week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 1:30 Beijing time, and arrives in Hawaii at 18:25 local time one day earlier. The return flight departs from Hawaii at 21:55 local time and arrives in Beijing at 5:20 on the third day.

The new route will meet the surging demand for air services of Chinese travelers to Hawaii, sparing the travelers residing in areas around Beijing the trouble of having to transfer in Shanghai, and offer an additional transfer option to travelers from Europe and the Middle East bound for Hawaii. In addition to the forthcoming Beijing-Hawaii nonstop service, other new international services that Air China will soon introduce include Beijing - Chiang Mai and Beijing - Siem Reap. These new services will make it easier for passengers in China and neighboring countries to travel to other parts of the world via Beijing.

SOURCE: Air China

Zhao Xingyu, [phone], [email protected]

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