More visits expected as direct flights resumed from Beijing to Edinburgh

China's Hainan Airlines resumed direct flights from Beijing to Edinburgh on Friday, with the airline expecting to boost tourism between China and Scotland.

Chinese Consul General in Edinburgh Zhang Biao, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport Gordon Dewar, and director of Hainan Airlines in the UK & Ireland Han Zhi attended an event celebrating the resuming of the direct flights in Edinburgh on the same day.

This year, the frequency of flights has been extended from twice a week to four times from May to October. It is the second year in a row the airline has restored direct flights between the two cities after the Covid-19 epidemic.

Both Hainan Airlines and Edinburgh Airport are looking forward to more visits this year.

"When the frequency has been extended to four, it shows the confidence, and it shows expansion and growth. It gives people more flexibility to choose how long they will travel for," said Edinburgh Airport CEO Gordon Dewar.

Edinburgh Airport has been updating its services, ready to provide more convenience for Chinese tourists as well.

According to Rob Lang, head of marketing of Edinburgh Airport, all the information boards at the airport are expected to provide Chinese translations for the inbound and outbound flights to China. The airport has also been providing guidance on their Chinese social media accounts including WeChat, Weibo and Douyin, to make it easy for those who cannot read English.

"Small improvements make more convenience sometimes," said Lang.

According to Han Zhi, so far the Hainan Airlines direct flights between Beijing and Edinburgh covers the spring and summer season, but both sides have been looking forward for more cooperation.

"We hope soon the frequency could be extended to daily," said Dewar.