Hainan Airlines hostesses along with a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer celebrate the inaugural Hainan Airlines flight between Calgary and Beijing on June 30 at Calgary International Airport. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY

The first direct air connection from Alberta province to China was celebrated by the Calgary Airport Authority and Hainan Airlines. The non-stop route connected Calgary International Airport (YYC) with Beijing on June 30 in Calgary.

“This new service – the result of close collaboration involving a dedicated team of airport, tourism and government partners over many years – opens our region up to a huge global market,” said Stephan Poirier, senior vice-president and chief commercial officer for the Calgary Airport Authority. “This new non-stop service not only provides travellers here with direct service from Calgary to China, but represents a significant amount of tourism revenue and other economic benefits to the province of Alberta.”

The new route solidifies YYC’s position as a major transportation hub, and highlights the role that Calgary International Airport plays in diversifying Alberta’s economy. When fully implemented, the new service connecting Calgary and Beijing is expected to create the equivalent of more than 625 full-time jobs, $31 million in wages, and generate $76.24 million in gross domestic product each year.

“We know the first impression of Calgary for arriving travellers comes from right here at the airport,” added Stephan Poirier. “The entire airport community has been working together to ensure our visitors from China have a great experience.”

Airport and tourism partners also joined the celebration, ensuring inbound passengers from China receive the warm welcome that travellers to Calgary are so familiar with.

“We are delighted to announce our latest non-stop flight from Calgary to Beijing,” said Hou Wei, vice--president of Hainan Airlines, “Calgary is the second city in Canada that Hainan Airlines will serve, having launched Toronto to Beijing in 2010. This route will further enhance cross cultural and economic exchanges between China and Canada, and will provide excellent service for our valued passengers.”

As a new member to the airport and Alberta community, Hainan Airlines recently made a generous donation of $37,500 to the Fort McMurray Canadian Red Cross Relief Fund. “When we enter new markets, we believe it is important to connect with the community we are serving, and in light of the recent tragedy that took place in Fort McMurray (wildfire), we thought this would be the most important place to give back to Albertans,” Hou added.

Hainan Airlines will operate three days a week from Calgary to Beijing Capital Airport. Flights will depart Calgary at 1505 local time and arrive at 1710 local time the next day. Return flights depart Beijing at 1600 local time and arrive at Calgary at 1305 local time the same day.

renali@chinadailyusa.com