China to add more than 2,500 new int'l scheduled flights and charter flights over Spring Festival holidays

China's Civil Aviation Industry will continue in its efforts to promote the resumption of international flights as demands for international flights are strong during the upcoming Chinese Spring Festival holidays, an official from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said on Monday.

Airlines in China plan to add more than 2,500 new international scheduled flights and charter flights, said Liang Nan, director of the CAAC's transport department, during a press conference.

The number of additional flights to Japan and Thailand will exceed 600, followed by more than 200 to South Korea ,150 to Singapore and 100 to Malaysia and Indonesia, said Liang, adding that there will also be new flights to countries in Oceania and Europe.

Liang added, the outbound travel will peak during the holidays and nearby countries including Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asian countries will become hot choices due to easier visa policies and customs clearance procedures.

In September 2023, Thailand approved a temporary visa waiver for visitors from China, which is set to expire on February 29.

China and Thailand are in close communication on mutual visa exemptions, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said at a regular press conference last week.

Malaysia and Singapore have announced they will open 30-day visa free travel for Chinese citizens. 

On December 1, 2023, China started allowing visitors from Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to enter the country without a visa.

In late July 2023, China resumed visa-free entry for visitors from Singapore holding ordinary passports.

(Cover: A staff member assists passengers at Beijing Daxing International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, December 27, 2023. /CFP)