A new direct flight connecting Austria’s Vienna and China’s Xi'an, two of the world's most culturally rich cities, was launched in late April, marking that direct flights between the two countries have resumed to a record high.
The inaugural flight, after departing from the northwest China city, arrived at the the Vienna Airport on April 20 and was welcomed with a traditional salute.
After a slow post-pandemic recovery, the Austrian capital now offers nonstop flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Xi'an, strengthening its ambition to become a major European hub for travel to Asia.
"We've got more than 20 flights per week between China and Austria and we've reached now pre-pandemic levels, so we are very happy with this connectivity and I think especially in difficult geopolitical times like that it's very important to have these direct links between China and Austria," said Julian Jager, CEO of Vienna Airport.
Industry representatives said the flight route was launched at a time when demand for flights between Europe and Asia surged, as travelers avoid Middle Eastern transit hubs amid disruptions caused by the ongoing turbulence in the region.
"It's independent from the world situation, maybe, also in the Middle East, because this flight is on another route," said Ernst Woller, a member of the advisory board of the Austrian Chinese Business Association.
Strengthened flight connectivity is finally bringing visitor numbers closer to pre-pandemic levels. It is not only Vienna's imperial palaces attracting Chinese visitors -- China's cultural treasures are increasingly drawing Europeans travelers.
"Xi'an is a beautiful city. I visited the terracotta army which is really, really impressive. And I really would encourage every Austrian to visit China in general and Xi'an in particular," said Jager.
Meanwhile, Vienna is counting on the new route to further boost arrivals from China.
"Chinese guests are especially important for us in the luxury sector because there's a huge sector in China for luxury tourists and this is very important in Vienna as well," said Nobert Kettner, CEO of the Vienna Tourist Board.
The new connection will not only increase passenger traffic but also cargo capacity. Direct links to Asia are crucial for time-sensitive goods like high-tech products and pharmaceuticals. The inaugural flight alone delivered 12 tons of air freight to the Austrian capital.
New direct flight connecting Vienna, Xi'an facilitates exchanges
