The Hindu : First direct passenger flight from China arrives

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 29, 2002

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First direct passenger flight from China arrives

By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi March 28. Direct air link was established between India and China today with the arrival of the first passenger flight from China, MU563, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here. The Airbus A-340 aircraft with a 66-member Chinese delegation landed at 5.53 p.m. to a rousing reception.

The flight will return later tonight carrying the External Affairs Minister, Jaswant Singh, to Beijing as part of his three-nation tour to China, South Korea and Myanmar.

"This flight marks the beginning of a new era in the traditional bilateral ties between the two countries. It will enhance our contacts in economic, technical and cultural fields,'' the Chinese Vice-Minister for Civil Administration, Bao Peide, said on arrival.

The direct link between India and China has been provided by the China Eastern Airlines, on an Airbus A-340 aircraft, which will operate two non-stop weekly services from Beijing and Shanghai.

This will reduce the flying time between the two countries, which were earlier connected via Hong Kong or Bangkok.

Under the bilateral air services agreement between the two countries, finalised in January this year, Chinese designated airlines can fly to two destinations in India — Delhi and Mumbai. On reciprocal basis, India's designated airline, Air India, can operate two services a week to Beijing and Shanghai. However, Air India has not launched its service so far.

The Chairman of China Eastern Airlines, Ye Yigan, said given the population of the two nations, there was great potential to enhance the air services link further.

The service from Shanghai would be operated on Fridays and from Beijing on Tuesdays.

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