Chinese Charters

[Ray Finkle]

I think this deserves it's own thread.

Full article from the airports website, I'm sure they want as much publicity as possible so wouldn't mind it all being posted.

First Ever UK Charter Flights From China to the UK Announced

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Maria Miller, has endorsed news that Birmingham Airport will become the country’s first gateway to offer UK charter package tours from China and the first UK airport outside of London to launch direct charter flights to China.

The joint initiative between Birmingham Airport, China Southern Airlines, Caissa Travel Management Co Ltd and Birmingham China specialist agency, United Travel, demonstrates the enormous demand for more flights between the two countries.

The Secretary of State said, “This is great news for Birmingham and Britain. China is a vital trade and tourism partner for us and opening up this new route will encourage even more Chinese visitors to fly to our country and experience more of what our GREAT nation has to offer outside of the capital - from tourist attractions to shopping, culture to heritage. The new route will provide great investment and job opportunities for businesses in Birmingham and the Midlands.”

It is now possible to fly direct between Birmingham and Beijing thanks to a £40 million investment by Birmingham Airport to extend the runway, which will open next month. The runway extension will provide airlines with unlimited take off range, allowing jets to fly direct to China, and puts Birmingham in an ideal place to become an alternative gateway to the UK for flights from China and beyond.

The summer programme will involve direct flights operated by China Southern Airlines arriving from Beijing into Birmingham between July 22nd and August 6th [1]. Caissa, one of China’s leading travel specialists, will sell a range of organised package tours to Chinese visitors seeking to explore the world class tourism attractions in the Midlands, the North of England and London. China Southern Airlines will operate a 248 seat A330-200 aircraft on the route.

Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport’s Chief Executive, said, “Today’s announcement is a result of three years’ collaborative working with Birmingham City Council, Marketing Birmingham, VisitBritain and Shakespeare’s England [2] to establish relationships in China and promote the many jewels that the Midlands has to offer, such as The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Warwick Castle, Bicester Village and the vibrant city of Birmingham itself.

“There is an alternative gateway into the UK for those wanting to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Birmingham - destinations that make this country great. This partnership also demonstrates that the demand is there from passengers across the UK who want long-haul flights to places like China from their nearest gateway.”

China is currently one of the fastest growing visitor source markets for the UK tourism industry at a rate of 20% year-on-year over the past few years. The size of the market has tripled over the past decade, and it is forecast to continue to grow strongly for the remainder of the decade. In 2012 the Chinese visitor market was worth £15 million to the West Midlands economy, with Birmingham now the 4th most popular destination for Chinese visitors in England.

Chen Xiaobing, CEO of Caissa Travel, said: "Birmingham is not only the UK's second largest city, but it is also an important tourist destination of Caissa's. This cooperation will welcome Chinese tourists to Britain, opening up an important gateway to further expand the Chinese European outbound travel business.

“As we know, when the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, visited China last year, he pointed out the great potential of tourism cooperation between the two countries. Earlier, the British Tourist Authority and Caissa Travel, a large integrated tour operator, signed a strategic cooperation agreement for three years to strive for and to become the largest market in recent years. This agreement is one of the largest strategic travel marketing plans in mainland China.

“The two parties will make joint efforts to develop tourism projects in the UK, both in publicity and promotion, in order to further grow Chinese tourism in the UK."

A number of ‘seat only’ tickets and package holidays, flying direct, are also available for UK residents wishing to visit China. These flights and holidays will be sold exclusively through Birmingham based China specialist agent, United Travel, by calling +44 121 666 6338 or http://www.united-tvl.com

Ann Leung, Director, United Travel, commented, “For many years we have been calling for direct flights between Birmingham and China to satisfy growing demand. We are constantly receiving enquiries from business travellers and tourists wishing to visit China, and students and Chinese people wanting to travel home. Birmingham needs direct flights to China and we are therefore incredibly proud to be part of this important initiative.”

Both Birmingham City Council and Marketing Birmingham have visited China numerous times over the last few years in order to develop relationships and promote the region; groundwork that has been vital in finalising this programme.

Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said, “China is a hugely significant market for Birmingham and the West Midlands, so we look forward to the prospect of even more Chinese visitors coming to the city using this new, landmark route.

“We are working proactively to ensure that Birmingham is viewed as a key location on the itineraries of Chinese travel agents and investors – and our efforts are bearing fruit.

“While the city has recently secured groundbreaking deals from Chinese investors, research undertaken by Marketing Birmingham’s Regional Observatory also indicates that Chinese tourists are extremely positive about the city’s range of activities, connectivity and reputation. Our challenge now is to continue to offer a warm welcome to new Chinese visitors wishing to explore our popular leisure and business destination.”

The partnership forms part of the wider VisitBritain ‘GREAT China Welcome’ campaign, which was announced during the Prime Minister’s visit to China in November 2013 and aims to make the UK the most welcoming destination in Europe for Chinese visitors.

Sandie Dawe, CEO of VisitBritain, added, “Britain is attracting more Chinese travellers than ever before and our strategy for growth recognises the need to develop more airline routes and greater access across Britain. The Birmingham route will encourage Chinese visitors to explore new areas of Britain and help to achieve our target of welcoming 650,000 Chinese visits a year by 2020.”

As a founding member of the ‘GREAT China Welcome’ campaign and leading up to the start of the new flights, Birmingham Airport is investing to ensure Chinese visitors receive a warm welcome and a stress free journey through the terminal on arrival. This investment includes Chinese terminal signage, staff cultural awareness training, mandarin speaking front of house staff, specific web-pages translated into mandarin, and a dedicated VAT refund facility for passengers to use before jetting back home.

The schedule will operate as follows. All local times (PEK=Beijing / BHX=Birmingham):

PEK - BHX 22nd JULY departing at 02.00 / arriving at 06.40
BHX - PEK 22nd JULY departing at 12.00 / arriving at 05.20
PEK - BHX 29th JULY departing at 02.00 / arriving at 06.40
BHX - PEK 29th JULY departing at 12.00 / arriving at 05.20
PEK - BHX 5th AUGUST departing at 02.00 / arriving at 06.40
BHX - PEK 5th AUGUST departing at 12.00 / arriving at 05.20

http://www.birminghamairport.co.uk/meta ... unced.aspx

Great news but it'll be an early start for the photographers

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: China Southern Airlines

Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport’s Chief Executive, said, “Today’s announcement is a result of three years’ collaborative working with Birmingham City Council, Marketing Birmingham, VisitBritain and Shakespeare’s England [2] to establish relationships in China and promote the many jewels that the Midlands has to offer, such as The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Shakespeare’s Birthplace, Warwick Castle, Bicester Village and the vibrant city of Birmingham itself.

“There is an alternative gateway into the UK for those wanting to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Birmingham - destinations that make this country great.


This has really impressed me, I've long thought that BHX's proximity to Stratford and all things Shakespeare could be used as a tool when promoting BHX in the US, now it seems it's finally being used in China. Shakespeare is a global figure, Warwick Castle is a fine place to visit and Bicester Village is massively popular with Chinese visitors. A big well done to all involved.

I wonder if some of the regions larger companies with links to China have been approached about a possible deal for a guarantee of a certain number of seats per year. If something could be done with the likes of JLR, Shanghai Automotive, LTI, NVC Lighting etc it could only help the cause for something more permanent.

West Midlands' China export surplus soars to £1.74bn

More than a third of the UK’s exports to China were from the West Midlands last year.

The West Midlands’ export surplus with China grew three-fold last year as the region raced to outpace the rest of the country in sales to foreign shores.

The region sold £1.74 billion more goods to the Far Eastern superpower than it imported, as Jaguar Land Rover drove foreign sales to previously inconceivable levels.

Full article: http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/busines ... us-6807499

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: China Southern Airlines

It's very good news for BHX and its region.

I believe that China Southern is based in Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton in the UK) which is China's third largest city.

Guangzhou is twinned with both Birmingham and Bristol and there has certainly been a lot interaction between West Country business interests and China, and the West Midlands, a substantially larger market, has obviously been very active.

It strikes me that if BHX did get a regular China service up and running in the coming years that the West Country and South Wales would be interested. Neither region is likely to have such a service from its own airports in the forseeable future and BHX is always a good alternative to LHR from this part of the world.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: China Southern Airlines

I agree, a route such as this would be very popular far beyond the Greater Birmingham region and I'd bet that the South West and Mid/South Wales would be included in the possible catchment area.

Midlands manufacturing seems to be very popular in China at the moment and whilst it's the likes of SAIC, LTI, NVC etc that make the headlines there are a vast number of smaller companies benefitting enormously. The shining light however is JLR, doing massive business in China at the moment with a huge plant currently being built in Shanghai, there is also the investment into the local supply chain with the associated companies clinging on to their coat tails.

It's a great start but it is just that, a start, I'm under no illusion there is most likely a long way to go before anything more permanent is secured.

 

[Hassaan]

Re: China Southern Airlines

It's great news as its testing water for a potential new BHX-China service. Will it be a success? Only time will tell but I expect reservations could be going through the roof.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: China Southern Airlines

All three flights sold out as expected.

First China to Birmingham flights sell out

A permanent air route to China is a step closer after the first flights from the Far East into Birmingham sold out.

The historic inaugural flight from Beijing lands at Birmingham Airport on Tuesday, marking the first use of the extended runway designed to bring more far-flung tourists to the city.

The 248-seat, A330-200 aircraft will fly from Beijing on three dates between July 22 and August 6.

The service will be operated by Chinese travel company Caissa and its chief executive, Chen Xiaobing, said Birmingham was an "important tourist destination" for the superpower.

Full article: http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/busines ... ll-7447318

 

[Hassaan]

Re: China Southern Airlines

Let's just see how these charters play out before optimistically proclaiming that there will be permanent flights.

 

[Hassaan]

Re: China Southern Airlines

One day to go!

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: China Southern Airlines

It's due to depart Beijing in a little under 90mins, the aircraft used should be A332 B-6056 but I'll confirm it on FR24 when it's on the way.

From the Beijing Airport departures website:

02:00 CZ3001 CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES T2 Birmingham Airport Check-in counters: C01-C10 Gate: 01C

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: China Southern Airlines

CSN3001 currently en route from Beijing, due into BHX at 06:35 :good:

Aircraft is A332 B-6056.

http://fr24.com/CSN3001

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: China Southern Airlines

Managed to get up early and get down, great to see the airport so busy. There were lots of very smart looking Chinese VIP's and several official looking photographers. MG also had a couple of new cars on display so it looks as if SAIC are aiming for some publicity.

Anyway grabbed a few photo's

On approach.

The first ever flight from Beijing touches down :yahoo:

Taxiing to stand behind a KLM 737.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: China Southern Airlines

Heading to stand 42C.

Turning onto taxiway 'Whiskey' for.......

.......a water cannon salute

A big well done to all involved in arranging these flights, it really would be amazing if we could get something permanent

 

[Hassaan]

Re: China Southern Airlines

Great pictures Ray. The plane looks in good shape and it generally seems to have gone down well.

 

[Brummiegem]

Re: China Southern Airlines

Some nice pics there Ray,thanks for posting them.
Anyone know why there was such a long delay to departure.I heard that the flight asked for push-back on time,so what happened after that I've no idea?Anyhow I got down there to see it depart.
It's just nice to see something different now and again!

 

[BHXsupporter]

Re: China Southern Airlines

Lots of room to spare on take-off from the new extension on the TV reports.

Excellent pictures. Did anyone get a video?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: China Southern Airlines

Thanks both. I've not attempted video yet but here's a couple on Youtube.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVKirr0umq4[/video]


[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVKirr0umq4[/video]


[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsJTo1buRjA[/video]


[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9fXiVKhu6o[/video]

 

[Hassaan]

Re: China Southern Airlines

Great videos. I'd love to know how safe it is to be at Sheldon Country Park at 6am.

5 more flights to go, is it?

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: China Southern Airlines

Great videos. I'd love to know how safe it is to be at Sheldon Country Park at 6am.

I've never felt unsafe over there that early in the morning, it's mostly dog walkers and joggers, I think it's mainly the evenings you occasionally get the idiots on the motorbikes.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Re: China Southern Airlines

A nice blog about the events of Tuesday morning, it's quite lengthy but a decent read.

http://www.desperately-seeking-adventur ... china.html

This section caught my eye.

The two officials from China Southern Airlines made their humbling speech's, both officials expressed the positive's of securing Birmingham Airport as successful route outside London. Amongst the translations the words 'Beijing' and 'Guangzhou' sounded promising for the future

In answer to Brummiegem's question

Anyone know why there was such a long delay to departure.I heard that the flight asked for push-back on time,so what happened after that I've no idea?

It was ready to go on time but there was a technical issue with the cargo door.

 

[Brum X]

Re: China Southern Airlines

4 x weekly scheduled flight between BHX - 'Guangzhou and a seasonal flight between BHX - Beijing would be fantastic.

MAN can have Air China and BHX can have China Southern. Perfect for both airports.