China’s longest internal flight – between the south of the country and its northwestern province Xinjiang – will be launched in a few weeks. China Southern Airlines will start daily direct flights from its base in Guangzhou to Kashgar, with a stop-over in Xinjiang’s capital city Urumqi.
The test flight with an Airbus A380 was successfully accomplished yesterday. Regular service will commence on July 15, 2010.
The actual flying time of six hours and 30 minutes, not including the stopover, makes this the longest internal flight serving the longest route. This will be a significant step in the development of the western part of China, when labour intensive industries are forced to move out from Guangdong province and this area is expected to benefit.
Kashgar is also an important stop on the Silk Road, and the new connection will promote tourism to that region.
According to China Southern’s deputy general manager Ren Jidong, for the next five years, the airline is looking at a 20 percent growth per year on this route.
For more details, visit www.flychinasouthern.com
Andrea Zavadszky
