China’s biggest airlines plan more international flights at last

China’s biggest airlines are planning more international flights, a sign the government is aware of the country’s growing isolation as it persists with lockdowns and mass testing internally -- hallmarks of its Covid Zero policy. China Eastern Airlines, which was severely impacted by virus lockdowns in Shanghai, will operate 108 international flights a week from Oct. 30 on 42 routes, including to Tokyo, Seoul and Dubai, according to an announcement on its Weibo social media account Weibo, up from 54 flights and 25 routes now. China Southern Airlines, the country’s biggest carrier by passenger volume, will resume services to Tokyo, Jakarta, Dubai, Manila and Bangkok among other destinations at the end of the month, the Paper reported. Air China resumed services in late September from various Chinese cities to Manila, Jakarta, Tokyo, Athens, Vancouver and Los Angeles. Hainan Airlines announced on Weibo on Oct. 15 that it would add a second weekly flight between Chongqing and Rome from Nov. 6.<br/>