Chinese airlines are expected to fly high amid rapid post-pandemic economic recovery. 

On Wednesday, China Southern Airlines launched its first flight from Beijing Daxing International Airport to London's Heathrow Airport. For its inaugural flight, an Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft carried more than 240 passengers. The airline says it hopes the daily route will inject new vitality into China-UK relations and cooperation, promote in-depth exchange between the two countries, and satisfy flyers' demand to transfer from London to other cities in Europe and Africa. 

"China Southern currently operates a total of over 120 daily international flights, involving some 80 routes. China's total operation of international flights have resumed to 35-40 percent of the pre-pandemic level," said Xiao Yong, deputy director general of the commercial steering committee at China Southern Airlines. 

The airline now plans to launch more international flights that connect China, Thailand and Singapore. The company added that the number of flights to Central Asia has resumed to about 60 percent of the pre-pandemic level, and flights to Africa have almost rebounded to pre-pandemic numbers. 

Meanwhile, British Airways' first flight from London to Beijing in more than three years departed from Heathrow Airport last week, touching down at Daxing Airport. The route was halted due to the pandemic, and will now operate four times a week between Beijing and London.

With the summer vacation looming, many Chinese airlines are expected to resume more international flights. China Eastern Airlines will introduce a wave of international flights through the course of June, including routes to Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe, Oceania and elsewhere. 

Starting from June 11, China Eastern Airlines will also increase flights from Shanghai to Paris, increasing the number of round-trips to seven per week from the previous three. The company hopes the move will further promote in-depth exchanges between China and France in the fields of the economy, trade, culture and tourism.

Starting from June 21, China Sichuan Airlines will resume direct flights from Chengdu to Istanbul. From July 3, Air China will also resume flights from Chengdu to Colombo. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has said it will continue to promptly approve applications from Chinese and foreign airlines, in order to resume international flights and ensure the smooth recovery of the sector.