Minister Maxime Bernier receives a big model airplane from China Southern's Tan Wangeng
(l-r): He Zongkai, Executive Vice President, China Southern Airlines; Christy Clark, Premier of B.C.;
Tan Wangeng, President & C.E.O., China Southern Airlines;
Maxime Bernier, Federal Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism); Liang Shugen, Chinese Consul General; and Larry Berg, President & C.E.O., Vancouver Airport Authority
A ceremonial water arch marks China Southern Airlines' inaugural flight to YVR
Canadians now have another airline option when travelling to China. China Southern Airlines is the first carrier to offer a direct service from Vancouver to Guangzhou in Guangdong Province, the most populous province in China.
Two fire trucks formed a ceremonial water arch for flight CZ329 as it taxied down the runway at YVR. The Chinese market is deemed so important to Canada that the Federal Minister of State for Small Business & Tourism, Maxime Bernier, flew in for the day to welcome the head honchos of the airline for this inaugural visit. Other Canadian officials at the event included Christy Clark, Premier of B.C., and Blair Lekstrom, B.C.’s Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure.
At the gate, a symbolic ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted by airline and govenment officials. Then the crowd at the airport was treated to a boisterous lion dance performance (used to signify auspicious beginnings) complete with drums and clanging cymbals at the arrival hall of YVR.
Using B777-200 aircraft that can accommodate 282 passengers, China Southern Airlines operates three weekly non-stops on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This turn-around service arrives in Vancouver at 10:20 a.m. and departs for Guangzhou at 12:00 p.m.
Tan Wangeng, President & C.E.O. of China Southern, said that there are plans to put the B787 Dreamliner aircraft on this route sometime later this year. The carrier is the largest airline in China offering the most extensive network of domestic routes within China.
Since receiving Approved Destination Status from China in late 2009, Canada is receiving a lot more visits from the Chinese. The introduction of this new service is expected to draw an estimated 44,000 Chinese travellers and contribute some $3.5 million to B.C.’s gross domestic product annually. According to the Canadian Tourism Commission, in 2010, Chinese travellers spent an average of $1,640 per person on each trip to Canada.
