Air China has launched a direct daily flight between Beijing and Lhasa. It is the first carrier to fly direct between the two cities suggesting that - despite the political differences between China and Tibet – demand for travel to Tibet is on the rise.
The flight, operated by an Airbus A319 or a larger A330 during peak seasons, will depart Beijing at 0805, arriving in Lhasa at 1225, and the return leg will depart at 1315, arriving back in Beijing at 0025.
Previously, Air China only flew to Lhasa via Chengdu, Chongqing and Kathmandu. Together, with this new direct flight, the carrier now flies 100 times a week in and out of Tibet.
According to the Lhasa Tourism Administration, tourist arrivals to Lhasa increased by 42.13 percent in the first half of this year. Another indication that tourism for Tibet is increasing was the opening of the St Regis Lhasa last year, signalling the arrival of a string of new international hotels, with Shangri-La and InterContinental poised to follow suit (see story here).
For more information, visit www.airchina.com
Alisha Haridasani
