Hainan Airlines to Launch New Service at O’Hare International Airport

CHICAGO, 2012-07-23 — /travelprnews.com/ — The City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Aviation are pleased to announce that Hainan Airlines has received federal regulatory approval authorizing it to begin nonstop service between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).

China-based Hainan is the largest privately-owned airline in China. Hainan operates more than 2,800 weekly flights to cities throughout China as well as international destinations in Africa, Asia,Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America.  From its Beijing hub, Hainan offers more than 400 weekly flights, including service to more than 40 Chinese cities.

“Chicago’s position as a global gateway for air transportation leads to our status as a world-class city,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “This new service from Hainan Airlines to China will provide additional air travel opportunities between Chicago and Beijing, expand single carrier access between many points in mainland China and Chicago, and will generate approximately $80-85 million in annual local economic impact. I thank Secretary LaHood for his support and recognition that this new air service is a boon for tourism and for the U.S. economy, as well as the support provided by U.S. Senators Durbin and Kirk.”

Hainan will be the only mainland China-based passenger carrier to provide service at O’Hare. Earlier today, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that Hainan’s application to initiate O’Hare service had been approved. See DOT’s release here. Hainan earlier this year filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate four weekly flights on this route beginning in the second quarter of 2013.

“This is good news for Chicago’s air travelers,” U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood said.  “Hainan’s service will provide Chicago with an additional, convenient option for traveling to China.”

Hainan has received numerous awards for customer service, including a five-star certification by Skytrax in 2011 and 2012, and the carrier has been voted the “Best Airline in China” twice by Global Traveler magazine. Hainan also earlier this month won both the “Best Airline in China” and “Best Staff Service in China” 2012 SKYTRAX World Airline Awards, marking the fourth time that the airline has won the two awards since 2008. Hainan is widely known as a service-oriented airline, providing features such as complimentary limousine service for long-haul premium travelers inBeijing, flat bed seats, upgraded amenities and gourmet meals.

The new service is expected to operate from International Terminal 5 at O’Hare.

“We look forward to welcoming this new nonstop service between Chicago and China by Hainan Airlines,” said Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino . “International travel from China is one of the fastest-growing sources of visitors to the U.S. In fact, Chinese tourists spend more than $6,000 per trip. Chinese visitors can now come to Chicago more easily and will find that O’Hare International Airport offers an unsurpassed level of connectivity to destinations all across the U.S. in addition to the wide variety of business and tourism opportunities available here in Chicago.”

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