“The Outbreak Is Under Control:” Chinese Airlines Reopen Some International Routes

According to China’s health commission deputy leader, “The novel coronavirus (now officially named COVID-2019/SARS-CoV-2) outbreak is under control and the general situation is improving after no new cases were registered in 14 of China’s 34 provinces and autonomous regions.” Because of the apparent confidence in the virus’ containment, a few Chinese airlines are planning to resume international routes that were closed due to the outbreak.

Potential Reopening of Routes

Flight Global reports that within the next two months, Air China, China Eastern, and low-cost carrier Spring Airlines will relaunch hundreds of international routes to and from mainline China. However, it appears these plans are being driven by the Chinese government and the governments these flights will serve, so it is possible that other nations that these airlines operate in may shut down the idea.

Which Routes?

Air China’s first resumed flight is set to be Frankfurt to Chengdu, which will begin by February 28th and operate twice weekly. China Eastern plans to restart routes from Kunming to two Myanmar cities, Yangon and Mandalay, by February 25th. Both airlines are also hoping to relaunch some 800 domestic routes to reconnect families and transport those stranded around the country.

Information on which specific flights Spring Airlines will restart is yet to be published. Meanwhile, Hainan Airlines and China Southern have not come forward with any plans to reopen any routes.

The desire to get the routes up and running again is being driven by the dramatic impact the virus has had on China’s airline industry, with nearly 80% of all international flights being affected. Air China said “air transportation is an important means of transport for [those] returning to work” and acknowledges that the virus has “severely impacted” the aviation industry. It still remains unclear if the plans will actually come to fruition.