Despite the slow reopening after the reopening, China's air routes are returning to pre-COVID-19 levels. The number of international flights has recovered to about 50% of the usual level, and additional routes are expected to resume by the end of the year. Some regions are actively attracting tourists by offering visa-free travel benefits.
According to data from the Civil Aviation Administration of China on the 15th, the number of scheduled international passenger flights operated by Chinese and foreign airlines from the 2nd to the 8th of this month was 4,240. This is about 55.6% of the 2019 level. Based on the first half of this year, the recovery rate had remained around 30%.
From the 2nd to the 8th of this month, Chinese airlines operated 2,729 international flights, accounting for 64.4%, showing a recovery to 57.5% compared to 2019. Foreign airlines operated 1,511 flights, accounting for 35.6%, with a recovery rate of about 42.5% compared to 2019.
Based on route recovery rates, routes between China and Singapore, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates reached 80%. Beijing Daily reported, "The Civil Aviation Administration of China announced that it will actively promote the resumption and increase of international passenger flights by domestic and foreign airlines, cooperating with relevant departments to implement precise policies."
Starting from the end of the year, some new international routes will be added. Hainan Airlines announced that it will resume the Chongqing-Paris route from November 28. This is Hainan Airlines' second direct flight route to France, following the Shenzhen-Paris route. China Eastern Airlines plans to add new routes such as Shanghai (Pudong)-Busan, Shanghai (Pudong)-Nagoya, and Kunming-Kathmandu within this month. At the end of this month, the Shanghai (Pudong)-Brisbane direct flight will also resume.
China has recently been enthusiastic about attracting tourists by allowing visa-free entry for group tourists. According to the Ministry of Public Security and the National Immigration Administration of China, foreigners on group cruise tours in Shanghai are exempt from visas for 15 days. This is possible when groups of two or more foreigners enter through Shanghai port via a Chinese travel agency, travel on the same cruise ship with the same itinerary, and depart together. The activity area is limited to coastal regions and Beijing city.
In Hainan Province, visa-free travel for 30 days is allowed for 59 countries including South Korea through travel agency invitations, corporate invitations, or self-application. Entry is restricted to travel within Hainan Province only. Additionally, in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, visa exemption is granted for 144 hours (6 days) for ASEAN 10 countries, and travelers entering Guangdong through Hong Kong and Macao travel agencies can travel visa-free for 144 hours.
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