It was a strong expectation of the French authorities. Air France will operate a Beijing-Paris flight by the end of August, the first direct flight restored between the Chinese capital and Europe since the lines were closed due to the Covid-19 epidemic, according to corroborating sources .
This will be the third weekly flight operated by the company between France and China. For several months, the French authorities have been negotiating with China to restart air links. “Due to Chinese health regulations, the outbound flight will be heading to Tianjin, about 100 km from Beijing. On the way back, the flight will leave from Beijing Capital airport, ”said Air France, confirming information from the French embassy in China.
Six direct flights between France and China
"France will be the first country in the European Union to have a direct flight from Beijing," said the embassy in a message to French residents. According to the company, the flights will soon be open for sale, with operations scheduled for late August. Air France currently operates two weekly flights between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Shanghai, the second flight having been obtained after strong French pressure in mid-July.
In addition, “in accordance with the Franco-Chinese air services agreement of June 1, 1966, Chinese companies will again be authorized to operate three weekly flights to France from next week, which will increase the number of flights to France. total of direct flights between France and China to six ”, according to the embassy.
The embassy indicates that it is continuing discussions to obtain an increase in frequencies between France and China, "in order to facilitate travel and reduce prices".
Other companies also affected by the resumption of traffic
Other companies have been allowed to resume direct flights between Europe and China, the embassy adds, citing KLM, Lufthansa, Finnair, Swiss, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic Airways and Neos and major Chinese companies - Air China , Capital Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Juneyao Air and Xiamen Airlines.
The Asian country, where the epidemic has slowed sharply with zero deaths since mid-May, has allowed foreign companies since June 8 to provide a weekly link from and to its territory.
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