Scotland has reconnected with China after Hainan Airlines resumed its twice-a-week service between Edinburgh and Beijing on Monday (26 June).

Scotland’s only direct service to China will operate on Mondays and Friday until 6 October on an Airbus A330.

Hainan previously offered flights between Edinburgh Airport and Beijing but stopped in 2019 when the summer season finished and did not resume flights in 2020 because of COVID.

When the service first launched, in 2018, Hainan Airlines offered four flights a week.

Edinburgh Airport CEO Gordon Dewar said: “We’re excited to be reconnecting Scotland and China and deliver yet more destination and experience choices for our passengers.

“Our countries are both stepped in history and heritage, and this Hainan Airlines service will make it easier for people in Scotland and China to experience the very best of our countries.

“We know that there is a deep connection between our countries and this route will help reconnect friends, families and businesses as well as allow us to forge new economic relationships to the benefit of Scotland on a national and local level.”

Scottish Minister for Transport Fiona Hyslop said the direct flights were ‘great news for people and businesses in both Scotland and China’.