Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, has resumed passenger flights between Abu Dhabi and Beijing, with the inaugural flight landing in the Chinese capital on June 30. With this, Etihad becomes the first regular direct international passenger service to return to Beijing under the latest mandate of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council in response to Covid-19.

The flight is the first direct passenger service from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE to Beijing, capital of the People’s Republic of China, since March 23, 2020. On board the flight were UAE diplomats, employees of Chinese enterprises with investments in the UAE, business travellers and students.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “Today marks a significant moment in Etihad’s history as passenger flights resume to Beijing for the first time in over 800 days. The direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Beijing will undoubtedly facilitate the deepening of bilateral cooperation in various fields and promote stronger bonds among the people of the two nations.

“As global travel restrictions rapidly ease, Etihad is equipped to further increase operations to China and meet the rising demand from travellers in both locations to support the recovery of economic and social activities worldwide.”

Following the inaugural flight, the regular weekly service will commence on July 6, and will be operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, featuring Business and Economy cabins.