The Mexico City International Airport (AICM) received on Saturday, May 11th, the first flight from China Southern Airlines since the beginning of the pandemic. This flight, originating from Shenzhen, marks the official resumption of direct flights between Mexico and China after a period of suspension due to the pandemic contingency in 2020, as stated by the AICM in a statement published on its X account (formerly Twitter).
Con la llegada del vuelo número CZ 8031, al Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez Ciudad de México, a partir de este sábado 11 de mayo, la aerolínea más grande del país asiático, China Southern Airlines reanudó oficialmente los vuelos directos entre México y China después de un… pic.twitter.com/5HGez8jVBr
— @AICM_mx (@AICM_mx) May 12, 2024
The complete journey of the flight spans a total of 36 hours, considering both the outbound and return trips, making it not only the longest flight of China Southern Airlines but also among all routes departing from China, as anticipated by Xin Ze, flight coordinator of the airline, in an interview with Expansión in early April.
This flight covers a distance of 14,000 kilometers, positioning it as the longest of the company, surpassing both in distance and duration the flight between Guangzhou and New York, which has a duration of 32 hours.
For this route, the A350 aircraft has been assigned, recognized for being the most advanced and luxurious aircraft in the fleet of China Southern Airlines. Equipped with a total of 335 seats, the flight will operate at a reduced capacity, with 252 passengers on the outbound journey and 156 on the return journey.
China’s decision to open a direct route to Mexico is justified by the investment opportunities offered by the Latin American country, especially in sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure.
Shenzhen, in particular, has stood out as a hub of technology and innovation in China, being home to prominent companies such as BYD and Huawei.
According to information provided by the Mexican Embassy in China, numerous projects are being discussed between the two countries, which could represent a total investment of between $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion between 2024 and 2025. This influx of investments reflects China’s growing interest in strengthening its trade ties with Mexico.
Before the outbreak of the pandemic, three airlines – Aeroméxico, Hainan Airlines Holding Co., and China Southern – operated a total of eight round-trip flights per week.
