First A330 wide-body aircraft parked at base as Capital Airlines strategically expands in Hangzhou

Beijing, March 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Capital Airlines Hangzhou Base project, with a total investment of 1.5 billion yuan, is progressing rapidly.On March 26,Capital Airlines’ Hangzhou Base welcomed its first Airbus A330 twin-aisle wide-body aircraft. This aircraft will be based at Hangzhou Airport for the long term, supporting the development of the airport’s international route network, and was given a water cannon salute upon arrival at Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport.

Capital Airlines' Hangzhou deployment receives ceremonial welcome

The Hangzhou Base is a key area for Capital Airlines to expand its presence in South China and develop its tourism route network. Since the first narrow-body aircraft was stationed in Hangzhou in 2012, by this summer-fall flight season, 10 narrow-body passenger aircraft will be based there, operating a total of 26 routes, including 21 domestic routes and 5 regional international routes.

In 2015, Capital Airlines announced the official launch of its 1.5-billion-yuan, 250-mu Hangzhou Base project in Guali. The airline's Hangzhou strategy has received strong support from the Guali government and Xiaoshan Airport Company, with optimal allocation of airport resources ensuring rapid progress on the base project.

On the 26th of this month,Capital Airlines increased its capacity allocation at the Hangzhou Base, stationing its first Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft in Hangzhou overnight as part of preparations for the resumption and launch of future international routes.

Capital Airlines’ first A330 aircraft to be based long-term at Hangzhou Airport, receives water cannon salute

Capital Airlines’ first A330 aircraft to be based long-term at Hangzhou Airport, receives water cannon salute

Increased capacity drives route expansion

According to the person in charge of Capital Airlines’ Hangzhou Base, with the first A330 wide-body aircraft now stationed, the airline is adjusting its outbound routes from Hangzhou. Domestically, a new daily non-stop route between Hangzhou and Xiamen, as well as Hangzhou and Qingdao, has been added. The newly stationed A330 will operate the Hangzhou=Madrid route, with flights every Monday and Friday, while also covering the Hangzhou=Guangzhou route, JD5270/69, with flights every Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday.

In the summer of 2016, Capital Airlines will also deploy two additional A330 aircraft to Hangzhou Airport. The increase in capacity will lead to rapid growth in bothdomesticand international routes from Hangzhou, expanding its reach to domestic and international tourist destinations. Capital Airlines plans to resume the Hangzhou=Copenhagen route,,with two flights per week, and launch a new Hangzhou=Birmingham route, with one flight per week.

By the end of 2016,Capital Airlines plans to open the Hangzhou=Qingdao=Vancouver route, with three flights per week, while actively preparing to build a route network connecting Hangzhou to various tourist cities in Europe and Oceania in 2017. Working in close cooperation with the Hangzhou government and airport, Capital Airlines continues to make uninterrupted strides in developing its international route network, using Hangzhou as an “international gateway.”

Continued investment   Capital Airlines partners with Hangzhou to build intercontinental air bridges

By the end of this year,Capital Airlines will have stationed three A330 wide-body aircraft in Hangzhou. In the future, the number of A330s based in the Hangzhou area will continue to grow, mirroring the momentum of the currently deployed narrow-body aircraft. This will steadily advance the goal of accelerating the “accessibility” of the airport’s outbound route network, using Hangzhou to connect the entire nation and build a bridge between Hangzhou and the world.