Hainan Airlines plans to broaden its global reach

Hainan Airlines, Winner of the World’s Leading Airline-Business Class 2014 award at the recently concluded World Travel Awards, may soon extend its global horizon. The airline is planning to offer as many as nine new routes globally in the year 2015.

The Haikou-based airline intends to offer seven new routes from Beijing and one each from Nanjing and Hangzhou. China’s biggest privately owned and fourth largest airline in size, is attempting to take advantage of growing business passengers and Chinese holidaymakers. As per a recent industry report, outbound international travel from China has increased by 19 percent since September. There may be a slump in the Chinese economy, however; it will have no impact on international travel. On the contrary Chinese outbound travel will increase manifolds in the coming years.

Hainan’s projected route additions from Beijing include London and New York, two of the largest international aviation markets. The remaining five destinations where the airline will like to link the Chinese capital city will be Montreal, Manchester, Oakland, Tel Aviv and Nairobi. Flights from Nanjing and Hangzhou will connect to two other prominent U.S. destinations i.e. San Francisco and Los Angeles respectively.

The airline plans to offer flights to tap the not so well connected markets. Hence, it will offer thrice weekly direct roundtrip flight service to Tel Aviv from Beijing, becoming the second carrier to do so. As of now only El Al, Israel’s flag carrier is providing direct service between the two cities.

Hainan fleet comprises of 136 aircrafts and has placed order with Boeing for its 787 Dreamliner jets, to cope with its global expansion plans.