Following the high-profile visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to France and Monaco earlier this year, Air China has announced the launch of thrice-weekly flights from Nice Airport to Beijing, starting on August 2. The flights will be on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, the airline said.
The flight will leave Beijing at 02:50, arriving in Nice at 08:05. The outward leg will depart from Nice at 12:25, landing in Beijing at 04:55 the next day. A two-class Airbus A330-200 will be used, comprising 28 business class seats and 199 in economy.
The Chinese connection is a great coup for Nice Airport, which has battled constantly to be awarded new international routes. Paris airports have enjoyed a near-monopoly on long-haul international flights due to government policy.
Direct flights to China from NiceWhile the flights from Nice to Beijing will be a major convenience for business travellers, the regular flights will also carry hundreds of Chinese visitors to the Riviera and Monaco.
