Singapore and China reach agreement on mutual 30-day visa-free entry
Singapore and China have agreed to a 30-day mutual visa-free entry for their citizens, close to two months after the proposal was first announced. Government representatives from both sides signed the agreement on Thursday (Jan 25). The arrangement formally enters into force on Feb 9, the eve of Chinese New Year. Those who plan to engage in activities that require prior approval, such as work or news reporting must still secure the relevant visa before entry.
Los Angeles tourism official expects closer exchanges with China
A tourism official of Los Angeles said more Chinese tourists are welcome to visit the city, while expecting closer tourism and cultural exchanges between the United States and China. In a video speech sent to Xinhua, Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, congratulated on the success of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival kicked off in China earlier this month.
Las Vegas Sands rises as Chinese gamblers defy economic worries
Las Vegas Sands Corp. reported sales that beat Wall Street’s expectations as Chinese travel to Macau continued its recovery, defying concerns of an economic slowdown. Chinese travelers to Macau from China totaled 6.47 million, equal to 88% of levels seen in the same period in 2019. Gamblers also arrived from Hong Kong above pre-pandemic levels for the second consecutive quarter.
China Eastern Airlines to operate 3,280 flights daily for Spring Festival
China Eastern Airlines is scheduled to operate 3,280 flights per day during the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush which will start on Jan 26 through to March 5, up 42 percent year-on-year, and China's first self-developed narrow-body jet C919 will serve in the peak traveling season for the first time, according to the Shanghai-based carrier.
The amount of air travel passengers is projected to hit a record high, and about 80 million passenger trips will be handled during the 40-day rush period, or 2 million passenger trips per day, up 9.8 percent from the same period of 2019, according to estimates by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
China says Boeing has permission to resume 737 MAX 8 deliveries
China said on Thursday it gave Boeing permission last month to resume deliveries of its 737 MAX 8 to local customers, ending an import freeze on the U.S. planemaker's most profitable jets which came shortly after its first delivery in 2019. China's green-light is a boost to the planemaker, which has been hit by the fallout from a mid-air blowout of a cabin panel on a 737 MAX 9 jet operated by Alaska Airlines, including the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration barring Boeing from expanding production of its best-selling narrowbody planes.
China’s C919 to Debut at Singapore Show as Boeing Dials Back
Comac’s C919 single-aisle jet is poised to make its international air show debut in Singapore next month, according to people familiar with the matter, as the Chinese planemaker seeks to capitalize on Boeing Co.’s woes and a production backlog at Airbus SE. Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd., as it’s formally known, will conduct a flying display and exhibit its homegrown jet amid a push to broaden prospective sales beyond Asia’s biggest economy, the people said, declining to be identified because the information isn’t public. Singapore’s biannual air show runs from Feb. 20-25.
Cathay group carries over 20 million passengers in 2023, back at 56% of pre-pandemic levels
Hong Kong’s Cathay group carried more than 20 million passengers last year, the company revealed on Wednesday, with an analyst saying the figure represented 56% of the pre-pandemic level in 2019. The group operates premium service carrier Cathay Pacific Airways and budget unit HK Express, with the former accounting for 18 million passengers last year. Analyst says group’s performance is in line with Hong Kong airport’s overall recovery, indicating it has not lost market share.
Cathay Pacific to return to Barcelona
Cathay Pacific Airways will resume seasonal service to Barcelona this summer. The Oneworld carrier will fly Hong Kong-Barcelona from 17 June to 26 October, three times a week. Cathay will deploy a three-class Airbus A350-900 on the 14-hour service. Flights will depart Hong Kong every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 0025 for arrival in Barcelona in the morning.
