Flight CA893 smoothly touched down at the Manas International Airport in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, at 8:35 pm local time on July 17, marking the opening of the first direct route of Air China Limited (Air China) connecting the capitals of China and Kyrgyzstan.
As Kyrgyzstan holds the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) this year, Bishkek will host the annual SCO summit in September.
The newly opened route serves as a vivid example of China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as well as an important outcome of the two countries’ efforts to enhance interconnectivity.
It will further streamline the aerial connection between the two capitals, and serve as a more efficient and convenient “air bridge” to boost bilateral economic and trade cooperation and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.
The inaugural flight is greeted with a water salute after it touches down. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Three flights are scheduled each week for the route, departing on Monday, Friday and Sunday. The one-way flight takes approximately 5.5 hours.
Upon arrival, the inaugural flight was greeted with a water salute, the highest aviation courtesy. After the aircraft’s door opened, flight attendants dressed in traditional Kyrgyz ethnic costumes presented flowers and local delicacies to passengers on this maiden flight. Air China also handed out its cultural and creative gifts to the first group of passengers, embodying the friendly ties between the two countries.
（Executive editor： Zuo Shihan）
