Hainan Airlines celebrates Berlin anniversary

The Chinese airline has been serving the Beijing-Berlin route since SEP2008, with a short interruption caused by the Corona pandemic. Now it has increased the frequency from 3/7 to 4/7. On the route, the carrier operates an A330-200, which can carry 20+ tons per flight, depending on passenger luggage.

Welcomed the new flight (l > r): Johannes Mohrmann, BER  /  Shupeng Hu, Hainan Airlines  /  Thomas Kohr, BER  /  Min Zhang, Hainan Airlines – courtesy: BER

Welcomed the new flight (l > r): Johannes Mohrmann, BER / Shupeng Hu, Hainan Airlines / Thomas Kohr, BER / Min Zhang, Hainan Airlines – courtesy: BER

Aletta von Massenbach, CEO of airport operator, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH (BER), congratulated customer, Hainan Airlines (IATA: HU), after the new flight had just landed at BER Airport, marking the 15th anniversary of the air services linking both capital cities. Literally, the executive said, “The long-term success shows, the demand for tourism and business travel on long-haul routes between the two cities is very stable. Hainan Airlines’ decision to upscale the flights allows the city partnership of Berlin and Beijing to be filled even better with life through personal encounters.”

Appreciated news

The airline’s frequency increase between the two national capitals is welcome news not only for travelers, but also for the air cargo industry. This is confirmed by Nouri Neller, MD Germany of general sales agent, Kales, which markets the aircraft’s cargo compartments. “The Berlin-Beijing sector is highly attractive for the industry, especially since Hainan offers numerous feeder flights ex Beijing to domestic Chinese destinations,” says the manager. These include, for instance, scheduled air traffic to Harbin (HRB) in the northeast of China, Shenzhen (SZX) and Guangzhou (CAN) at the Pacific rim, or Kunming Changshui (KMG) in the southwest of the country. “This means we can offer local exporters air transportation to virtually every major destination in China,” enthuses Mr. Neller.

Close to 2019 levels

This network aspect is also emphasized by Min Zhang, General Manager of Hainan Airlines’ Berlin office. “Hainan Airlines is the bridge between the two capitals and also conveniently connects Berlin via Beijing with many destinations in China and in Asia, such as Tokyo or Bangkok. We are pleased to once again offer the market a range of flights between our countries that is close to the level of the pre-Corona year 2019.”