Tianjin Airlines is planning to launch its first trans-Pacific services next year, connecting China with Canada.
The carrier, which currently operates a large network of domestic and short-haul international flights, applied to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for permission to launch four weekly flights to Vancouver.
The move follows the recent upgrade of Tianjin Airlines’ Air Operator’s Certificate to allow it to operate long-haul international routes from China.
If approved, the carrier will launch its first ever trans-Pacific flight from Chongqing to Vancouver, via Tianjin, in June 2016. This will be enabled by the delivery of a new fleet of four wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft next year.
Tianjin Airlines is owned by the HNA Group, and its long-haul expansion follows a similar strategy undertaken recently by another HNA carrier, Beijing Capital Airlines, which has started flying to Europe and plans to launch services to Australia. HNA’s largest carrier, Hainan Airlines, already operates a significant long-haul international network, including multiple trans-Pacific routes.
Tianjin Airlines is planning to launch its first trans-Pacific services next year, connecting China with Canada.
