China Eastern Airlines is all set to increase its Delhi-Beijing frequency from March 30, 2003. Revealed Raj Makhija, sales manager - north India, “We will now fly to Delhi twice a week. The flight will depart from Delhi every Tuesday and Saturday at 07.05 am and Beijing every Monday and Friday at 23.50 pm.”

The sector will be serviced by the existing A320s. According to Jimmi Jiang Fu Sheng, representative India, the second flight was introduced to meet the increased demand. “After India received the ‘Approved Destination Status’ in November, load augmented almost immediately. In the last three months, the average load factor hovered around 85 per cent, while before that, we were not doing very well. With both governments eager to promote tourism and business, things are looking bright for us.”

The airline expects the load factor to improve further this year and plans to increase the frequency to four by the end of 2003. However, there isn’t any plan to start operation to Mumbai right now. Explaining the reason Makhija said, “We would like to first consolidate on the Delhi-Beijing sector and then move forward. The China market has been receiving good support from Delhi and to some extent from Mumbai. Moreover, we will get delivery of a few A330s and A340s (we have placed order for 20 aircraft) by next year.”

With China having a large population of Buddhists, the airline might consider operating charter flights to Gaya in future. “We have not decided anything right now. But yes, it is a possibility,” concluded Fu Sheng.