BEIJING, Sept. 17 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- The Chinese flag carrier Air China will launch a new service from Athens to Beijing, starting from November 28th, 2007. The new route will connect the capitals of the two countries: Greece and China.
The service is conducted by Boeing 767 twice a week via Dubai. Every Wednesdays and Sundays, the outbound flight (CA943) departs from Beijing at 8:40 p.m., arriving in Athens at 5:50 a.m. the following day and includes a one and a half hour stop in Dubai. The return flight (CA944) will be offered on Mondays and Thursdays, departs from Athens at 9:30 a.m., stops in Dubai for one hour and forty minutes and arrives in Beijing the following day at 5:20 a.m. (all local times).
"With the new service, Air China will bring significant convenience to passengers between China and Greece. It will also facilitate the commercial, political and cultural communications of the two countries." said Mrs. Zhang Lan, Senior Vice President of Air China, "The launch of the new service will allow Chinese passengers fast and efficient access to Athens, a country integrating historical culture and natural beautiful sightseeing. Likewise, it will build a path for passengers in Greece and South Europe to come to watch the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games."
Air China is the most frequent airline between Europe and China in terms of the total number of Sino-European flights. With its European headquarters based in Frankfurt, Air China serves Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, London, Rome, Milan, Stockholm, Moscow and Madrid with non-stop service to Beijing or Shanghai offering 130 weekly flights. Additionally, Air China attaches great importance on cooperation with foreign airlines, and it is now in partnership with Lufthansa, SAS, Finnair, Austrian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Alitalia and Turkish Airlines. Its network of routes is fast expanding to serve more cities throughout Europe e.g., Copenhagen, Helsinki, Vienna, Istanbul and many German cities.
About Air China
As China's sole designated flag carrier and the Airline Partner of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Air China (HKEX: 0753; LSE: AIRC; SSE: 601111) serves 78 domestic and 39 international cities with an extensive network from its Beijing hub, conveniently linking passengers between China and destinations around the world. Air China continues to attract increasing international recognition as a world-class carrier: It enjoys a growing reputation for high-quality service, distinguished by traditional Chinese warmth and hospitality. Air China is the most frequent airline between Europe and China in terms of the total number of Sino-European flights. Air China serves Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, London, Rome, Milan, Stockholm, Moscow and Madrid with non-stop service to Beijing or Shanghai. In cooperation with other leading airlines, Air China is expanding its network to serve more cities throughout Europe, e.g., Copenhagen, Helsinki, Vienna, Istanbul and many German cities.
