| Air China launches direct Beijing-Athens flights |
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| Tuesday,December 11,2007 Posted: 20:51 BJT(51 GMT) |
| From:Xinhua via COMTEX Article type:Reproduced |
ATHENS, Nov 30, 2007 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- AICAF | charts | news | PowerRating -- The first direct flight between Beijing and Athens by Air China arrived at Athens airport Thursday morning.
Chairman of Air China Ltd. Li Jiaxiang, Greek Tourism Minister Aris Spiliotopoulos and Greek Ambassador to China Michael Cambanis, among other passengers, were aboard the plane.
During the flight's departure ceremony, Li said both China and Greece boast ancient civilizations, and the direct flight will greatly promote their traditional friendly ties and enhance tourism between the two countries.
The launch of the direct route is good proof that the Chinese government and Air China attach great importance to developing a strategic partnership with Greece, he said.
Chinese Ambassador to Greece Luo Linquan, who attended the ceremony, extended his congratulations on the occasion, saying the direct flight is a tangible result of the increasing contacts between the two countries in every field, from politics and economy to culture and tourism.
Spiliotopoulos said the direct flight has opened another gate for people from Asia to Europe, which promotes the cooperation of tourism and other businesses between China and Greece.
The weekly services connecting Beijing to Athens depart from Beijing every Sunday and Wednesday and from Athens every Monday and Thursday.
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Bilateral Visits