William Dennis

Rapid development and upgrades to many of China’s provincial airports have prompted authorities to open so-called Tier 3 cities to long-haul carriers from Europe, the U.S., and Australia. The country’s Tier 3 airports for more than four decades have received service only from Chinese and regional airlines. Currently, the only exception—Zhengzhou in Henan Province—receives Air Canada flights from Vancouver and Jetstar service from Melbourne.

 


According to Ministry of Transport official Shi Yi, China’s continuous upgrades of aviation infrastructure will increase the number of airports with direct flights to destinations around the globe.

 


“The booming economy has expanded the middle-class segment, with more Chinese making long-haul trips,” said Shi.

 


Tier 3 cities identified for long-haul flights include Guilin, Jinan, Haikou, Zhengzhong, and Urumqi. Among the more than 70 Tier 3 cities across the country, authorities have targeted about 20 as potential destinations for long-haul carriers.

 


While China hopes to attract more long-haul foreign airlines to operate to its autonomous regions and other Tier 3 cities, Chinese airlines have also seized the opportunity; however, government restrictions limit nonstop flights to one carrier on any particular route.

 


“The market may not be big enough to allow more than one airline to operate on the route, and this is also to avoid competition,” Shi pointed out.

 


Air China-owned Tibet Airlines plans to introduce three-times-weekly flights on the Jinan-Helsinki route starting April 8 using Airbus A330-200s. Tianjin Airlines flies twice weekly between Zhengzhou and Sydney using the same type of equipment, as does Sichuan Airlines on its Zhengzhou-Vancouver route.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

China Ready for Foreign Long-Haul Service to Tier 3 Airports 

Authorities plan to welcome international service at provincial airports from airlines based as far afield as the U.S. and Europe.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Howard Hardee

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

More In Airlines

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

ATR Chases New Regional Markets for Twin Turboprops

Iran war and wider geopolitical pressure stall buying decisions

Embraer Racks Up E-Jet Orders at Farnborough

30 firm orders led by Abra

Gulf Air May Buy JetZero’s Blended-wing-body Z4

Japan Airlines also expresses interest at Farnborough Airshow

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN