Yunnan sets in motion plans to be South-east China’s international gateway

THE Yunnan Provincial Tourism Development Committee (YPTDC), keen to expand direct international air connectivity to the province, has met SilkAir to discuss the possibility of starting flights to a second international gateway there.

YPTDC, part of a trade delegation to Singapore last month, would like the Singapore-based regional carrier to consider adding direct flights between Singapore and Lijiang International Airport, in addition to the current four-weekly flights to regional capital Kunming.

Oliver Huang, marketing division director of YPTDC, said: “There are now 12 airports in Yunnan with another four under construction and being planned, making it the province with the most number of airports in China.”

“We want more direct international flights,” said Huang, noting the first intercontinental direct flight was launched between Kunming and Paris in December 2014, while flights between Kunming and Vancouver via Shanghai started in June this year.

However, a SilkAir spokesman has told TTG Asia e-Daily that there are currently no plans for direct flights to Lijiang.

“Nevertheless, we continue to seek opportunities to enhance our network and are constantly reviewing potential new destinations to fly to,” said the airline spokesperson.

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