DIRECT flights between Dublin and Beijing are to begin in June when China's largest private airline will operate four flights between the two cities every week.
Hainan Airlines will run two direct flights while a further two will stop in Edinburgh to pick up additional passengers before travelling on to Beijing.
Earlier this week Cathay Pacific announced four direct flights from Dublin to Hong Kong will also begin in June.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney attended a reception at the Irish Embassy in Beijing where the new toute was announced.
He said: “I am delighted that as of 12 June 2018, Hainan Airlines will commence operating nonstop services between the Chinese capital Beijing and our capital city Dublin.
"This first ever direct route to mainland China and the first Irish destination in Hainan Airlines’ network is a major achievement which will prove transformational to the bilateral relationship between China and Ireland. I welcome that the new route will also add increased connectivity between Dublin and Edinburgh."
"Efforts to bring about the direct flights have been ongoing for the past four years both in Dublin and in China through the work of the Embassy of Ireland in Beijing, Tourism Ireland and the other Irish state agencies."
