Direct flights from Prague to Beijing will resume from June

Direct flights from Prague to Beijing will resume this June, as Hainan Airlines announces its return after a hiatus of over four years. The Chinese carrier plans to operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, marking a significant development in air connectivity between the Czech Republic and China.

The service will be facilitated by an Airbus A330 aircraft with a capacity of 292 passengers. Departing Beijing at 3:30 a.m., the flight is scheduled to arrive in Prague at 6:45 a.m., while the return journey will depart Prague at 2:00 p.m., landing in China at 5:20 a.m. the following morning.

Hainan Airlines was the first Chinese carrier to fly to Prague when it first launched service in September 2015, marking a milestone in Czech aviation history. Before the Covid pandemic in 2020, other Chinese carriers like Sichuan Airlines and China Eastern also began flying routes to the Czech Republic.

The connection was recognized as one of the successes of Czech-Chinese relations under former President Miloš Zeman, who welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to Prague in 2016. Relations between the countries have soured in recent years, following official Czech visits to Taiwan and Tibet.

The decision by Hainan Airlines to resume flights between the countries, however, signifies a gradual recovery of international air travel and reflects the mutual interest of both countries in strengthening economic and cultural ties.

Notably, the resumption of direct flights between Prague and Beijing is expected to bolster tourism between the two countries, facilitate business exchanges, and foster greater cooperation in various sectors.

While ticket sales have yet to begin, the announcement has generated anticipation among travelers and business communities eager to reestablish connections between the Czech Republic and China. The restoration of this air link signifies a positive step towards normalizing travel amidst ongoing global challenges.

As Hainan Airlines prepares to recommence operations, passengers can look forward to enhanced connectivity between Prague and Beijing. The resumption of flights signals optimism for the future of international travel and cooperation between the Czech Republic and China.

Prague Airport has announced a number of new connections this spring as it eyes a full recovery to record pre-pandemic service. Other routes opening in the upcoming weeks include the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and popular holiday destinations like Astana, Tallinn, Florence, Verona, Izmir, La Palma, and more.