Aviation

Air China Launches New Non-Stop Service Between Shenzhen and Los Angeles

BEIJING, Dec. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — On December 7, the inaugural flight for Air China’s non-stop route between Shenzhen and Los Angeles will take off from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. The new route adds to Shenzhen’s growing portfolio of international long-haul routes and will help to promote economic and cultural exchange between southern China and the U.S. West Coast.

In 2016, more than 5 million tourists travelled between China and the U.S., while China became the top destination for U.S. travellers in the Asia Pacific. Los Angeles also became the first U.S. city to welcome over one million Chinese visitors in the space of a year. Air China’s new non-stop route will reduce the journey time between Shenzhen and Los Angelesto just over 12 hours and provide a convenient new link for tourists and business passengers.

In recent years, Air China has been expanding its global route network to complement important government strategies, including the “One Belt, One Road” initiative and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. Air China now operates flights out of four main hubs in Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Meanwhile, Air China and Shenzhen Airlines have also been expanding Shenzhen’s international route network, with the full backing of the Shenzhen Municipal Government. In 2016, Air China partnered with Shenzhen Airlines to launch a new route between Shenzhen and Los Angeles via Beijing and a non-stop route between Shenzhen and Frankfurt. These new services expanded Shenzhen’s international route network and helped to spur the development of Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. They are also an important pillar of Air China’s strategy to improve route coverage in Southern China.

The new route between Shenzhen and Los Angeles will be operated under flight numbers CA769/70 on a tri-weekly schedule (Monday, Thursday and Saturday).Outbound flights will depart from Shenzhen at 23:30 and arrive in Los Angeles at 20:00. Inbound flights will depart from Los Angeles at 22:50 and arrive in Shenzhen at 05:40 the third day. All times are given in local time. Air China’s new route will be operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft configured with a three-class cabin layout (Business Class, Premium Economy Class and Economy Class). All booking classes are equipped with 11-inch touchscreen displays for a superior in-flight entertainment experience.

Aviation

Egypt has signed an agreement with China to purchase J-10C fighter jets

Egypt has become the second country, after Pakistan, to order China’s Chengdu J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jets, marking a significant shift in its military strategy.

The announcement, made during the inaugural Egypt International Air Show from September 3 to 5 at El Alamein International Airport, reveals Egypt’s intent to replace its aging fleet of U.S. F-16s.

The J-10C, a highly capable 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet, was showcased by China for the first time on African soil during the air show. It features advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, making it a formidable alternative to Egypt’s current fleet.

Known for its air superiority missions, the J-10C has often been compared to the American F-16, which has been the backbone of the Egyptian Air Force since the 1980s.

However, with Egypt’s F-16s now considered outdated against modern air defense systems, the decision to transition to the Chinese fighters underscores a major upgrade in Egypt’s combat capabilities.

This move not only signals Egypt’s intent to reduce its reliance on U.S. defense systems but also reflects a broader shift in its international alliances.

Despite a long-standing defense relationship with the U.S., evidenced by a recent acquisition of C-130J Hercules transport aircraft through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program, Egypt is clearly looking eastward.

The decision comes amid growing concerns over U.S. policies in the Middle East, including its stance on Israeli operations in Gaza, which may have influenced Cairo’s pivot to Chinese military technology.

China’s increasing presence in the Middle East and North Africa is bolstered by such deals, as Beijing continues to expand its influence through military cooperation and economic partnerships, particularly in energy imports.

The Egypt International Air Show provided a platform for showcasing this growing military-industrial relationship.