YYC International announces direct flights from Calgary to Beijing
Posted Feb 5, 2016 2:34 pm.
Last Updated Feb 5, 2016 5:06 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
As of this coming June, Calgarians will have access to new markets for business and tourism as the five star Chinese Hainan airline will offer three non-stop connections per week between Calgary International and Beijing.
The announcement came Friday morning, and dragons and drums were a big part of the celebration.
Calgary International said the announcement solidifies its position as a major hub, and Tourism Calgary CEO Cindy Ady agreed.
“We have a lot of stuff they want to do in China, and they’re on the travel, and they’re a big population and on the move,” Ady said. “We’re happy to be that gateway city, and to have a direct flight will make all the difference in the world.”
It took local officials five years to pull the deal together, and many believe the opportunity couldn’t come at a better time economically.
Adam Legge, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said a direct connection to China opens a world of opportunities.
“We’ve got a tourist market, over a billion people in China. We’ve got trade and goods,” Legge said. “In a time when, really, Calgary and Alberta’s opportunities, to take what we’re good at and take it to the world, and sell it to the world, as opposed to relying on our downturned economy or our downturned industry.”
The new service is expected to create 600 new jobs in Calgary alone, while generating $76 million in GDP contributions each year.
