The launch of direct flights between Brussels and two Chinese cities is expected to further enhance connectivity between Belgium and China, paving way for stronger tourism, cultural, and economic exchanges.
Chinese carrier Air China launched a direct passenger service between Brussels and Beijing, China's capital, on Tuesday, and another between Brussels and Chengdu, the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Thursday.
The Brussels to Beijing service will operate daily while the Brussels to Chengdu route will operate three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, the airline said.
With the launch of the two routes, Air China will expand its European network to 23 destinations, operating regular weekly scheduled flights and boosting connectivity for people-to-people exchanges, business cooperation, and cultural ties between Asia and Europe, according to the airline.
Leon Verhallen, director of aviation development at Brussels Airport, welcomed the development, noting that China has become one of the airport's most important long-haul markets and the new direct flights would support China's visa-free policy for Belgians.
"With a visa free policy, we see a strong growth of tourism from Belgium to China. And it's also said that it is so easy without visa problems, without going through electronics, without going through the embassy," said Verhallen.
In recent years, China's visa-free policy for Belgian and other European passport holders has driven a noticeable rise in European travel demand to China.
Belgian tourism professionals have expressed optimism that the new direct flights will further accelerate this trend, making it easier for Belgians to explore China's diverse attractions.
"So I think this together with the visa free policy is going to enhance even further the relationship between Belgium and China on a touristic level, but also on a business level," said Maxime Dechamps CEO of 8AM Group, a company that supports businesses and organizations create digital solutions for operating in China.
"And people are looking for new things. Now we get a lot of positive images from China in Belgium. So [with] the images, the destination is really attractive," said Frank Bosteels, senior product development manager at a local travel agency.
New direct flights from Brussels to Beijing, Chengdu to boost tourism
