Capital Airlines launches direct Beijing–Katunayake flight service

By T.K.G. Kapila

Colombo, January 31 (Daily Mirror) - China’s Capital Airlines inaugurated its direct flight service between Beijing and Sri Lanka with the arrival of its first flight at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on the afternoon of January 31, marking a new air connectivity milestone between the two countries.

The inaugural Capital Airlines flight, JD-487, departed from Beijing Daxing International Airport and landed at Katunayake Airport at 1.46 p.m., carrying 170 passengers and 13 crew members. An Airbus A330 aircraft was deployed for the service and was accorded a traditional water salute upon arrival.

Under the new schedule, Capital Airlines will operate flights to Katunayake every Tuesday and Saturday, arriving at 2.20 p.m. and departing for Beijing at 4.20 p.m. on the same day. The total flight duration is approximately eight hours.

The inaugural arrival was welcomed by a distinguished gathering, including the Chinese Deputy Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Zhu Yanwei, Head of Katunayake Airport Management Mr. Aruna Rajapaksa, and several other officials.

The new flight service is expected to further strengthen tourism, trade, and people-to-people ties between Sri Lanka and China.