China-Scotland links basis of growing intl relationship

New route from Chinese mainland to Scotland

Beijing and Edinburgh have been linked directly for the first time, as Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines revealed plans March 15 to launch flights between the Chinese mainland and Scotland.

The service, on an Airbus A330-300, will commence June 12.

Through a three-city flight model, Hainan will fly from Beijing to Dublin and then on to Edinburgh on Thursdays and Sundays, and from Beijing to Edinburgh and then on to Dublin on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

"This is a fantastic day for Edinburgh Airport and for Scotland as we connect Scotland and China for the first time," said Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar. "Edinburgh is second only to London as the most popular UK destination for Chinese tourists, and we have worked incredibly hard with partners across the city and country to get to this point."

The Edinburgh route will be Hainan’s third direct link between China and the UK. Edinburgh began campaigning for a direct link with China in 2015 with the creation of the Edinburgh-China Air-Link project.