New Direct Flight Connects Guangzhou and Istanbul, Expanding Travel Opportunities

A new direct passenger flight between Guangzhou, China, and Istanbul, Turkey, has begun operations. The route, operated by China Southern Airlines, is scheduled three times weekly and uses Boeing aircraft. Flights take around 11 hours to Istanbul and 10 hours back. This expansion comes as China anticipates a rise in inbound tourism, aiming to simplify entry and exit measures, including enhancing visa-free transit policies and increasing flights from key tourism sources.

The economic and cultural ties between China and Europe are set to strengthen further as China Southern Airlines, one of China's leading carriers, inaugurates new direct flights to Budapest, Hungary, and Istanbul, Türkiye. These new routes, operated three times weekly, are part of China's broader strategy to increase flights from key tourism sources and simplify entry and exit measures for inbound travelers [1].

The Guangzhou-Budapest route, which commenced on June 27, is the first direct link between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Hungary. This new air connection is expected to boost economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe, while also promoting cultural, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges [1]. Han Wensheng, President of China Southern Air Holding Co, expressed his pride in the new route, stating that it would cater to the needs of passengers for transit via Budapest to other cities in Europe and via Guangzhou to other destinations in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand [1].

Moreover, China Southern Airlines will launch a direct flight to Istanbul, Türkiye, starting from June 28. This route, also operated three times weekly, will take around 11 hours to reach Istanbul and 10 hours to return to Guangzhou. These new services will not only strengthen the relationship between China and Türkiye but also provide travelers with more options and convenience when traveling between the two countries [2].

These new routes come as China anticipates a surge in inbound tourism and aims to enhance visa-free transit policies and increase flights from key tourism sources [1]. This expansion in air connectivity is expected to contribute to the growth of the tourism sector and foster cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world.

Sources:

[1] China Southern Airlines. (2023, June 1). China Southern Airlines Opens New Direct Flights to Budapest and Istanbul. Retrieved from https://www.gz.gov.cn/guangzhouinternational/home/citynews/content/post_9731568.html

[2] CN Bay Area. (2023, June 1). China Southern Airlines Launches New Direct Flights to Budapest and Istanbul. Retrieved from https://www.cnbayarea.org.cn/english/News/content/post_1241906.html