Capital Airlines Eyes North American Market

Beijing Capital Airlines (JD), a subsidiary of Hainan Airlines (HU), is planning to expand its international network to North America by adding Hangzhou-Qingdao-Vancouver in November 2016.

Pending government approval, the Beijing-based carrier will use its 222-seat Airbus A330 aircraft on the Hangzhou-Qingdao-Vancouver route, with three flights weekly, according to an announcement released Thursday on the website of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

The Beijing-based carrier has accelerated its international expansion pace as the Chinese economy grows, which has increased outbound travel for China's citizens.

Capital Airlines began long-haul operations earlier this year with its first ever intercontinental flights connecting Beijing and Hangzhou with Copenhagen in this September.

Besides, it is also applying to the aviation watchdog to open two four long-haul, intercontinental routes - Hangzhou-Madrid in December 2015, Qingdao-Melbourne in July 2016 and two services to Birmingham from Beijing and Hangzhou in April 2016.

Now, Capital Airlines operates 56 aircraft, comprising 23 Airbus A319s, 32 A320s and one A330. According to the carrier, it is scheduled to take delivery of two more A330s this year and expand its long-haul fleet to more than 30 aircraft in the next five years.

The Air Transportation Department of CAAC is soliciting public comments on the application until November 26, 2015.

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