Air China filed (04-Jan-2023) its latest US flight schedules to the US Department of Transportation for services commencing 08-Jan-2023:
Cathay Pacific, via its official WeChat account, announced (04-Jan-2023) plans to increase China capacity as follows:
Air China plans to resume weekly Beijing Capital-Geneva-Shenyang-Beijing Capital service with A330-200 equipment from 26-Jan-2023, as per a 02-Jan-2023 GDS display and inventory.
China Eastern Airlines plans to resume weekly Shanghai Pudong-Vancouver service with A350-900 equipment from 23-Jan-2023, as per a 03-Jan-2023 GDS display and inventory.
Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center stated (03-Jan-2023) in addition to mandatory saliva based PCR tests for passengers arriving on direct flights from China, passengers arriving in Taiwan on flights originating from China and transiting through Hong Kong or Macau must present a negative PCR test within 48 hours prior to boarding their flight at their place of departure or a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of boarding, effective 06-Jan-2023. [more - original PR]
Thai Airways signed (26-Dec-2022) a marketing collaboration deal with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau to attract MICE travellers. The collaboration will target travellers from Asia and Europe. The parties expect to attract at least 500,000 travellers and generate THB33 billion (USD955.7 million) in revenue. [more - original PR]
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced (28-Dec-2022) inbound passengers travelling from China, Hong Kong and Macau must present a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery upon arrival, effective 05-Jan-2023. All passengers aged two or older must present a negative test result taken no more than 48 hours prior to departure, regardless of nationality or vaccination status. The requirement also applies to passengers travelling from China via third country transit and to passengers connecting through the US onward to further destinations. CDC also announced passengers transiting through the following airports to the US will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test if they have been in Peoples Republic of China in the last 10 days:
CDC noted the three transit hubs cover the overwhelming majority of passengers with travel originating from China and its special administrative regions. [more - original PR]
Trip.com Group reported (28-Dec-2022) the following booking and search highlights following the Chinese Government's decision to relax COVID-19 travel restrictions from 08-Jan-2023:
Hong Kong Tourism Board chairman Dr Pang Yiu-kai welcomed (28-Dec-2022) the Hong Kong SAR Government's announcement to lift all mandatory PCR test requirements for inbound travellers upon arrival in Hong Kong, as well as the lifting of the Vaccine Pass which allowed access to specified premises and other measures from 29-Dec-2022, adding the tourism board will "gradually step up its promotions worldwide". [more - original PR]
China's National Health Commission stated (26-Dec-2022) the management of COVID-19 will be downgraded from class A to class B from 08-Jan-2023. Inbound travellers will no longer be required to undergo quarantine, but will still be required to take nucleic acid tests 48 hours before departure. Outbound travel of Chinese citizens will also resume "in an orderly manner". The change in classification also means there will be no sealed control of COVID-19 cases and designation of high risk areas. [more - original PR - Chinese]