Chinese airlines flying high with new routes to the UK and beyond

A Hainan Airlines flight. [Photo: provided by Sino.uk]

Hainan Airlines to launch non-stop service between Chengdu and New York in October, but October will be a busy month for the airline as the USA isn't their only target destination.

Travellers will be able to fly directly from Chengdu to both US coasts. But it's not just the USA who are set to benefit from inbound tourism from China. It's also been reported that Hainan Airlines is close to being able to agree a direct flight from Dublin to Beijing.

The Sunday Independent has reported that talks between the airline and Dublin Airport have been under way for some time between the airline. It's report The flight will operate on alternate days to Dublin and Edinburgh in Scotland

Local councillor Tom O'Leary, said to the media that negotiations were "progressing very positively". He went on to add that he understood that flights could possibly start in October.

If Scotland or Ireland don't appeal to Chinese tourists then they will be able to fly direct to New York, non stop, from October. A flight direct to Los Angeles has already been rolled out.

The Chinese tourist market is a big one, monthly airline seat capacity from China to Britain has grown by almost 75% since 2011 thanks to new flights, including flights from Guangzhou to London Heathrow, from Beijing to Manchester and from Chongqing to London Heathrow. There are 58 weekly flights direct to the UK from China.