Hainan Airlines from China has started Yangon-Chongqing nonstop flight on January 27, sources from the Yangon International Airport said.

It is the fourth largest airline in China and providing services for over 79 million passengers using 463 planes for 220 destinations last year. The airline is providing chartered services to 25 countries including Singapore, Germany, United States and Canada.

It is a direct flight between Yangon and Chongqing and it is flying four times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Sichuan Airlines from China launched a new flight between Yangon and Xi’an on November 10 2018 and it is a second direct flight after Yangon-Hangzhou direct flight.

The Hainan Airlines held a ceremony to mark the launching of Yangon-Chongqing direct flight on January 27 at Yangon International Airport.

“The ceremony is showing continuous improvement of connectivity between Myanmar and China. It will be a good relation and understanding between Myanmar and China. Our airline is hoping to provide services for more passengers and businessmen from Myanmar,” said Aung Kyaw Tun, Deputy Director General from Department of Civil Aviation.

“South East Asia is an important regional market for the airline. We are flying to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Singapore. The flight to Myanmar is strategically important for us. We are inviting more travelers and investors from China to visit Myanmar as the country has stunning natural views and excellent business opportunities,” said Vicent Wu from the airline.

A total of six airlines from China launched 11 new flights in 2018 and the arrival of Chinese travelers is increased to 38.38 per cent more in compared with the arrival of Chinese tourists in 2017.

There are seven airlines flying between Myanmar and China and up to 12 flight schedules are flying daily, sources said.