Several Asian low-cost carriers are starting new flights to provide increasing connections between their hubs and China.
The Singaporean airline Scoot is launching a three-times weekly service between Singapore and the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang from November 27, with the return leg flying via the eastern seaport of Qingdao.
Flight TZ86 will leave Singapore on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 0200 and land in Shenyang at 0835. Return leg TZ86/85 will then leave Shenyang at 0950, stopping over at Qingdao, before landing back in Singapore at 1845.
Shenyang is an important hub for heavy and, more recently, high-tech industries, and a strategic gateway to the northeastern region of China. Qingdao, on the other hand, is home to a number of large companies such as electronics firm Haier. It has seen much development in secondary and tertiary industries in recent years and it also produces the world famous Tsingtao beer. Once a German colony, this coastal city is a popular tourist destination for its European architecture and nautral beauty.
Last week Scoot also began flights to Tianjin (see story here).
Meanwhile, AirAsia is also starting new flights linking China with Southeast Asia. Thai AirAsia will begin flying daily between Bangkok Don Meung and the central Chinese city of Wuhan from October 19, according to industry website Airlineroute.net.
Flight FD2570 will leave Don Meung at 0715 and land in Wuhan at 1135, with the return leg leaving at 1220 and landing back in Bangkok at 1510. Wuhan, located in the middle of China, is a major land and air transport hub and home to a large number of international and domestic technology companies. For more on the story, see Business Traveller's story here.
AirAsia has also said it plans to introduce new routes between Southeast Asia and the Chinese cities of Xian, Kunming, and Nanning.
Most of China's recent economic growth has been seen in inland and second-tier cities. Business Traveller Asia-Pacific is launching a series from September to offer more information on these growing hubs, starting with Xiamen. To subscribe, click here.
Nicholas Olczak
