Air China to Open Beijing - Minsk - Budapest Service

BEIJING, March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Air China plans to start Beijing - Minsk - Budapest services from May 1, 2015, meeting the needs of more travelers to Europe. The only direct route from China to Belarus and Hungary can bring you to quaint Russian architecture and the charming "Gem on the Danube."

The four-time weekly Beijing - Minsk - Budapest services CA721/722 are operated on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The outbound flight departs from Beijing at 13:00 Beijing time and arrives in Minsk at 16:50 local time and in Budapest at 18:20 local time. The return flight departs from Budapest at 19:00 and arrives in Beijing at 11:50 Beijing time on the second day. The route is to be operated with Airbus A330-200, which all classes of service are outfitted with personal entertainment systems and Business Class offers full-flat seats, guaranteeing passengers a truly pleasant journey.

Minsk is the capital of Belarus as well as the economic, technological and cultural center of Belarus. It is also home to the headquarters of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Belarus was founded in 1067. A decade since having gained independence, many of the former systems and institutions from the Soviet Union period have remained. Many students, lovers and old-timers converge in the central garden at noon, in contrast to the old "Soviet Union flavor."

Budapest is the capital of Hungary. In its early days, it was two cities - Bada and Pest - on the two sides of the Danube. Centuries later, in 1873 the two cities merged to become today's Budapest known as "Oriental Paris," and "Gem on the Danube." The river Danube which flows slowly through the city evokes the memory of a beautiful necklace and gives the city an air of peace.

With increasing exchanges between China and Europe in recent years, the market demand for air transportation has been growing rapidly. In 2014, the passenger throughput of the Minsk airport experienced a robust 19% increase over the previous year. The year 2015 marks the 66^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Hungary. Official statistics suggest that since Hungary was formally opened to Chinese tourists in 2003, the number of Chinese tourists visiting the country has been increasing at an annual rate of 15%. Recently, Hungary has become one of the most important destinations for Chinese tourists to Eastern Europe.

As the largest carrier between China and Europe, Air China offers over 100 flights between the two parts of the world, serving such important European cities as London, Paris, Munich, Vienna and Barcelona. The new Beijing - Minsk - Budapest route to be opened will bring the number of European destinations Air China serves up to 18 and the number of routes the carrier operates to 19. It will further promote the economic and cultural exchanges between China and Europe and expand Air China's route network in Europe. With Air China's extensive global route network with the hub based in Beijing and Air China's admission to the Star Alliance, passengers can easily get to 1,328 airports in 195 countries around the world.

Air China is China's only national flag carrier and a member carrier of the world's largest airline network - Star Alliance.

By December 2014, Air China had a fleet of 523 passenger aircraft and freighters of mainly Boeing and Airbus families (including those of the carriers which Air China has a majority stake in). It operates 322 routes, including 82 international routes, 15 regional routes and 225 domestic routes. It serves 159 cities in 32 countries and regions, including 53 international cities, 3 regional cities and 103 domestic cities. Every week, Air China offers over 1.3 million seats on over 7000 flights per week.

Utilizing its extensive route network and its hub in Beijing, especially after its admission to the Star Alliance, Air China can fly passengers to 1,328 airports in 195 countries.

PhoenixMiles, Air China's customer loyalty program created in 1994, is Asia's only frequent flyer program shared by a number of carriers.

Air China's customer service philosophy revolves around four elements: credibility, convenience, comfort, and choice. Hard work over the years has resulted in a tremendous increase in Air China's brand value. In 2013, Air China ranked again as one of the world's top 500 brands with a brand value of RMB91.899 billion, and was the only Chinese carrier on the World Brands 500 list.

For more, visit Air China's official website www.airchina.com or call Air China's hotline 95583.

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SOURCE Air China

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