China Eastern launches thrice weekly flights from Beijing

Tourist arrivals from China are expected to increase in coming days after the CNMI successfully secured weekly regular flights direct from Beijing starting next week, according to Century Tours vice president Alex Stutely and Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio.These new thrice-a-week flights from China will be launched on Nov. 15 by Century Tours, in cooperation with China Eastern, which operated past charter services to the CNMI.

At present, Sichuan Airlines is the only carrier providing regular charter service from China through its four-times-a-week charter schedule from Shanghai and twice weekly flights from Guangzhou.China Eastern will begin flying next week using an A330 aircraft with a seating capacity of 295.On a weekly basis, Stutely said the CNMI will be accommodating about 900 tourists that will help boost the tourism industry on the islands.

This is the first time that China Eastern will be operating charter flights at this volume and Stutely is appreciative of the effort, saying the additional arrivals are extremely important for the CNMI at this time. The three times a week schedule will be on until next year, he added.Saipan Tribune learned that the thrice weekly Beijing-Saipan service will depart Beijing International Airport every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday early in the morning and will arrive on Saipan the next day-Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.