Air China and China Southern Airlines Strengthen Connections to Latin America

Air China resumes flights to São Paulo with a stopover in Madrid

Credit: Air China

After an interruption of more than four years, Air China has resumed its air route linking Beijing to São Paulo via Madrid, marking a significant return to the South American market. On 28 April, the first flight of this resumption, operated by a Boeing 787-9 carrying more than 263 passengers, took off from Beijing Capital International Airport. This route, which covers a distance of almost 17,584 km and takes more than 25 hours, is one of the longest one-stop flights in the world.

Flights are scheduled to depart Beijing every Thursday and Sunday at 15:00, making a stopover in Madrid before reaching São Paulo at 5:05 local time. The return flight leaves São Paulo at 9:15 and arrives in Beijing at 19:30. Zhou Yeting, an Air China representative, stresses that the resumption of this route will boost economic and cultural exchanges between China and Brazil. Air China plans to increase the frequency of flights according to market demand and promote cooperation with local airlines to continuously improve services and meet the diverse needs of travellers.

Our article: São Paulo, Metropolis of Contrasts and Cultural Capital of Brazil

China Southern Airlines announces the resumption of flights to Mexico City

Credit: China Southern Airlines

At the same time, China Southern Airlines has announced the resumption of its flights between China and Mexico, with services linking Shenzhen to Ciudad de México and Tijuana. The flights, which will be operated three times a week by Boeing 787-8 aircraft with a capacity of 266 passengers, will connect these three cities. This service had been suspended in February 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, after having been operated since November 2018.

The new Shenzhen-Ciudad de México-Tijuana-Shenzhen route, announced by China’s ambassador to Mexico, Zhang Run, will begin on 11 May. This service, which was previously operated with stopovers, notably in Vancouver or via Japan and South Korea, will simplify and considerably reduce the journey time between these two countries, which was initially in excess of 25 hours.

The resumption of these air links is a boon for trade and tourism between Asia and Latin America, increasing not only connectivity but also economic opportunities between these regions.