China Southern Airlines is to launch a new service from Shanghai to Amsterdam via Beijing.

The new Boeing 777 Shanghai-Beijing-Amsterdam service - slated to begin June 28 - is timed to begin on the official opening day of the new Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, and will be operated under a code-share agreement with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Effective May 1, 2004, 12 nations of the European Union were formally opened to the Chinese citizens as new overseas tourist destinations. In addition, the recent successful visit of Premier Wen Jiabao to Europe illustrates that both China and Europe are dedicated to establishing important strategic partnership relationships.

“China Southern Airlines’ new international services to Europe (via Beijing) demonstrates our airline’s commitment to the Beijing marketplace,” said Mr. Li Kun, Vice President, China Southern Airlines, adding that “as the center of China’s politics, economy and culture, Beijing is rapidly developing as one of Asia’s leading economic destinations and with the advent of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, Beijing will surely become the world focus with endless business opportunities.”

China Southern Airlines plans to expand its Beijing-outbound capacity and take a more active role in its Beijing international hub operations, including a completely remodeled Terminal One at Beijing Capital Airport.

China Southern’s new Shanghai (Pudong) - Beijing - Amsterdam roundtrip service, will be available every Monday, Thursday and Sunday (China Southern flight numbers CZ343/344), departing from Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport at 10:00 a.m. and arriving at Beijing at 11:55 a.m., then continuing on to Amsterdam at 13:20 and arriving at Schiphol Airport Amsterdam at 17:50 (local time).

China Southern’s new Shanghai-Beijing-Amsterdam service compliments the airline’s current Guangzhou-Beijing-Amsterdam service (China Southern flight numbers CZ345/346) every Tuesday and Friday.

“All told, our new Shanghai-Beijing-Amsterdam and current Guangzhou-Beijing-Amsterdam service expands China Southern’s service to Amsterdam to five flights per week from mainland China to the heart of Europe and is perfectly timed for the launch of the peak summer holiday season,” said Mr. Li.

China Southern Airlines will also be launching its new four weekly direct non-stop Guangzhou-Paris service on June 28.

(CNTA.com June 8, 2004)