The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD, today welcomed the announcement of a direct flight between Ireland and Beijing by Hainan Airlines.
Responding to today’s announcement the Tánaiste Simon Coveney said:
“I am delighted that as of 12 June 2018, Hainan Airlines will commence operating nonstop services between the Chinese capital Beijing and our capital city Dublin. This first ever direct route to mainland China and the first Irish destination in Hainan Airlines’ network is a major achievement which will prove transformational to the bilateral relationship between China and Ireland. I welcome that the new route will also add increased connectivity between Dublin and Edinburgh.
"Efforts to bring about the direct flights have been ongoing for the past four years both in Dublin and in China through the work of the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing, Tourism Ireland and the other Irish state agencies.
"Dublin Airport has been in talks with Hainan representatives throughout the period ,and has worked as a close knit team with Tourism Ireland and our officials both here and in Dublin.
"I would also like to commend the work of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport headed by my Ministerial colleague Mr. Shane Ross T.D., and Dublin Airport for their relentless pursuit of the agreements which underpin this new route. The attractiveness of the Irish market and the quality of our infrastructure have convinced this leading Chinese carrier to commence operations this year, as well as continually assess further connectivity between Chinese and Irish cities in years to come."
The Tánaiste added:
“The growing numbers of Irish tourists, students, businesspeople and other travelers living and spending time in China will not only benefit from the nonstop service to Beijing ,but also from the numerous connections that Hainan Airlines offers throughout China and the wider Asia-Pacific region. In Ireland, our resident Chinese community will enjoy faster journeys when returning home for holidays, and we look forward to welcoming greater numbers of Chinese visitors who can enjoy travel throughout the island and in Great Britain on a single visa using the British-Irish visa scheme.
"Ireland will continue to work to make our visa process as efficient as possible. I am pleased to welcome the introduction, by my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Mr Charles Flanagan, TD, of the following improvements in Ireland’s visa offering to Chinese citizens;
a Three Year Multi-entry Visa for business or tourist applicants with a satisfactory previous Irish visa history; and
a Five Year Multi-Entry Visa for business applicants with a satisfactory previous Irish Visa history who have on-going business concerns in Ireland.
"As part of the St. Patrick’s Day promotional programme, I am delighted to witness this launch, and I encourage Team Ireland in China and the airlines to promote and raise awareness of these new flights and the benefits which they will bring to tourists, businesses, investors and students considering choosing Ireland for their further education”.