Flight to link Beijing-Silicon Valley

The first non-stop flight between Silicon Valley and China will be launched in June 2015, providing a faster link between the two centers and saving people time, said Joel Chusid, executive director of Hainan Airlines (US).

Hainan Airlines, China's largest privately owned air carrier and fourth largest airline in terms of fleet size, has filed with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to launch a new non-stop route from San Jose to Beijing and is awaiting approval, Chusid told China Daily on Thursday.

The flight will run five days a week deploying Boeing 787 jets that seat 213.The entire trip from San Jose to Beijing will take about 12 hours. Schedule times will be announced after the company gets approval from the DOT.

Hainan Airlines has already evaluated the market potential and expects traffic on the route will be good, said Chusid.

The Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) located in the heart of Silicon Valley is one of the fastest growing economic regions in the US and the home to many companies with businesses in China, said Chusid. Chinese companies are opening offices in the South Bay too, he added.

"Beijing is one of our major international hubs in China, and we have flights to dozens of cities from there, so passengers from the South Bay will be able to make connections," said Chusid.

The liberalized visa requirements between the two countries are also expected to dramatically increase travel between two regions, he mentioned.

The SJC airport also sees a bright future of the new route since "the airport has seen strong demand exist for nonstop services between China and Silicon Valley. And the nonstop service to Beijing with connections to other Chinese cities could offer more opportunities to enhance and improve travel efficiencies", said Rosemary Barnes, public relations manager of the airport.

She also noted that airport staff have been in contact with Hainan Airlines to discuss their needs for aircraft, passenger and cargo operations and will continue those discussions.

"Silicon Valley companies now have more than 500 locations throughout China and a growing focus on developing business across Asia. More than 220,000 Silicon Valley residents and an even greater number in the Bay Area region have Chinese heritage," Barnes added.

zilian@chinadailyusa.com