Nonstop Airline Service Between China And Silicon Valley May Reality This Summer
SAN JOSE (KCBS) — Travelling between China from Silicon Valley could become much easier very soon as the first-ever nonstop connection Beijing and San Jose is expected to start in mid-June.
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Hainan Airlines, which is waiting on approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, plans to use the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for the route which would run five days a week.
Mineta San Jose International Airport director Kim Becker Aguirre told KCBS that she has no doubt that the service will be an instant hit.
"We had a lot of requests for services for the businesses here. We have a lot of connections with the companies who have been asking for this Beijing service," she said.
Currently, San Francisco International Airport is the only Bay Area airport offering nonstop daily service to China.
According to Rosemary Barnes, an airport spokeswoman, airport served 9.4 million passengers last year—up 7 percent from 2013 year, according to spokeswoman Rosemary Barnes.
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said the service would add a level of prestige.
"We've been pushing hard to expand flights at San Jose International. This is something that truly puts the international on San Jose Mineta Airport and creates a lot of opportunity for us and most importantly—a lot of jobs," he said.
Hainan, based out of China, already has approval in the country and it's expected the FAA will do the same as the airliner already has such services in other American cities.
