On Tuesday, September 3rd, Armenia and China inaugurated direct flights between the two countries, a milestone both sides have hailed as a "historic event."
By the end of the day, a China Southern Airlines aircraft landed at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, marking the start of regular air service between the two nations.
The new route connects Yerevan with Urumqi, a major city in Northwestern China. Initially, flights will operate twice a week, reducing the travel time to approximately 4.5 to 5 hours.
At the official ceremony celebrating the launch of these direct flights, Armenia's Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Gnel Sanosyan, emphasized the importance of this development in strengthening bilateral ties.
"The establishment of direct flights has been a long process. Significant efforts have been made to bring this to fruition. We hope that this air service will perform well, as there is strong demand, and it will make life easier for many people by shortening travel time between Armenia and China," the minister stated.
Meanwhile, Cheng Ming, the Charge d'Affaires of China in Armenia, highlighted the economic significance of the new route.
"In the first half of 2024, trade between Armenia and China increased by over 40%, reaching $1.4 billion. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Armenia grew by 110% to 11,500 people. The opening of direct flights links two continents, creating new opportunities for cultural, economic, and humanitarian exchange," he said.
The direct air service is expected to provide a significant boost to tourism, business, and cultural exchanges between Armenia and China.
