Its location as the nearest city in North America to Asia has always made Vancouver a top draw for the Chinese.
With a high quality of life and excellent educational opportunities among the key attractions, Nanjing is among three Chinese cities receiving inaugural flights to British Columbia’s most populous city over the new year period.
While Vancouver has been connected to Nanjing via a stop in Beijing for many years, the new China Eastern operated flight is the first direct link between the two cities. It joins a Beijing Capital Airlines (Capital Airlines) operated, thrice weekly service between Vancouver and Hangzhou that was announced on 6th January. Such services have been made possible thanks to Vancouver Airport’s five-year airline rates and charges program, ConnectYVR, that provides a highly competitive rate structure, including rates lower than any other major airport in Canada and competing airports across the border with the USA.
Craig Richmond, YVR’s President & CEO, commented, “Nanjing—what an amazing new destination… one of China’s most beautiful and dynamic cities. I want to thank China Eastern for their continued support and for further connecting YVR to the world”, while Mr. Xiangying Rong, General Manager of China Eastern Airlines Vancouver Office, said, “China Eastern Airlines has been operating from Vancouver to China for the past 12 years. Vancouver to Nanjing is our third direct flight from Western Canada to China. This provides passengers with more options when flying with China Eastern to China and beyond”.
In addition to the diverse business and tourism opportunities between China and Canada created by the new Nanjing route, there is also a positive impact on the local economy, in the shape of more than 162 jobs at Vancouver Airport and throughout British Columbia that together add C$9.5 million in Gross Domestic Product, C$1.8 million in taxes and C$3.2 million in wages.
China Eastern flight 215 is operated with an Airbus A330-200 and departs Nanjing on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 2pm, arriving in Vancouver at 8.30am on the same day, with the return leg departing Vancouver at 10.30am, arriving Nanjing at 2.55pm the following day.
