CHINA Southern Airlines, China’s largest airline, will launch new routes between Shenzhen and two popular Southeast Asian destinations — Yangon, Myanmar and Chiang Mai, Thailand — in August. The Shenzhen-Yangon route (flight CZ8055/6) will begin operations Aug. 21, with flights scheduled every Thursday and Sunday. Departing Shenzhen at 2 p.m., the flight will arrive in Yangon at 4 p.m. The Shenzhen-Chiang Mai route (flight CZ8063/4) will commence on Aug. 22, operating three times a week — Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The flight will depart from Shenzhen at 4:40 p.m. and arrive in Chiang Mai at 6:40 p.m. Both routes will be served by Airbus A320/A321 aircraft. With the addition of these two routes, China Southern Airlines will operate a total of 17 international and regional flights from Shenzhen. This expansion will strengthen Shenzhen’s international air connectivity, offering travelers a broader range of options and enhancing regional links across Southeast Asia. The Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport announced Thursday that it has launched or intensified flights on 12 international and regional routes in the first half of this year, including routes to Vientiane, Mexico City, Riyadh, and Singapore. During the past six months, the airport handled 3.05 million international passengers, a 30.7% year-on-year increase, surpassing the 2019 pre-pandemic level and setting a new record. Cargo and mail throughput also rose to 983,000 tons, a 14.1% year-on-year increase. Notably, international and regional cargo volume approached 500,000 tons, up 16.3% compared with the same period last year. The airport expanded its global connectivity by launching three new routes to Miami, Delhi, and Jakarta. Additionally, flight frequency increased on 12 international cargo routes, including major hubs such as Chicago, Bangkok, and Dubai. To date, the airport has established a cargo network linking 63 destinations worldwide. (Han Ximin) | 