A flight from Beijing to Johannesburg via Shenzhen will be put into service today, replacing the nonstop route between China’s capital and the largest city in South Africa.
The service will operate three times a week: on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. It leaves Shenzhen at 12:10 a.m. and arrives in Johannesburg at 7:55 a.m., according to a recent report on Shenzhen TV.
The return flight operates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It leaves Johannesburg at 10:15 a.m. and arrives in Shenzhen at 5:05 a.m., the following day. It then leaves from Shenzhen at 6:55 a.m. and arrives in Beijing at 10:05 a.m. The trip takes 13.5 hours. It will be the city’s first route to Africa.
Johannesburg is the largest city and economic center of South Africa. China is South Africa’s largest trade partner.
In 2018, Shenzhen International Airport opened 15 international routes, including nine intercontinental routes, a new record for the airport. The present 18 intercontinental routes out of Shenzhen enable travelers to reach Europe, America and Oceania. The routes in Asia cover 23 cities in nine of 10 ASEAN countries.
The international route network has connected the city with 46 global destinations, including three major air hubs: London, Paris and Frankfurt.
The Shenzhen airport now is applying for implementation of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, and 24-hour quarantine-free policy with the Central Government agencies.