Transcontinental flights to China are resuming, following the prolonged cessation of operations during the COVID pandemic.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have announced that they will resume services to mainland China later this year.
From April 23, British Airways will operate daily flights between London Heathrow and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. It will then operate four weekly flights between Heathrow and Beijing Daxing International Airport from June 3, according to Travel Weekly.
Tickets for both services have already gone on sale.
Virgin Atlantic will begin its services to Shanghai on May 1. Shanghai is the final route to be reinstated by the airline following the pandemic. On the day of its reinstatement the route would have been closed for 859 days.
Qantas has resumed flights to Hong Kong, connecting travellers between Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport. According to Simple Flying, the flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with plans to increase them to daily services from February 27.
From March 26, Qantas will also restart its services from Melbourne Tullamarine International Airport to Hong Kong. All services to Hong Kong will be operated by an Airbus A330.
Currently, travellers to China are still required to present proof of a negative PCR test result and to complete a health declaration form, however they do not have to present proof of vaccination or to quarantine on arrival.
Travellers entering Hong Kong must still show proof of a negative PCR or Rapid Antigen test result taken prior to departure. On Monday (February 6), the city removed its requirement for travellers to present proof of vaccination upon entry, according to Lifestyle Asia.
