Harbin Taiping International Airport, as one of the most important aviation hubs in Northeast China region, plans to open six direct flights linking to North America in the following three years.

According to the plan, Harbin airport will open flights connecting Harbin to Anchorage, Los Angeles and San Francisco in 2019; and open fights to New York, Seattle and Toronto in 2020.

Harbin, located in North China and the central region of Northeast Asia, has the shortest transportation distance with cities in North America.

According to calculations, it takes three hours less taking off to North American cities from Harbin than Beijing; and a single journey will reduce fuel costs by around 150,000 yuan ($22,000). Opening North American flights at Harbin airport brings considerable savings in time and cost.

Additionally, Harbin airport plans to open the Harbin-Paris flight in 2019 and the Harbin-Frankfurt flight in 2020.

Currently, Harbin airport has flight connections to 96 domestic cities and 23 overseas cities via 184 different flight services, covering all the capital cities of China’s provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, as well as cities in Russia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore.

Meanwhile, a total of 47 airlines have launched services from Harbin’s airport, including China Southern Airlines, Air China, Scoot Airways and Ural Airlines.

In 2017, Harbin airport handled 18.84 million passengers, ranking first in Northeast China and 21th nationwide.

Harbin International Flights Promotion Meeting is held in Beijing on Aug 23. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

T2 terminal building of Harbin Taiping International Airport [Photo/hljnews.cn]

Artist’s impression of improved Harbin Taiping International Airport in 2020 [Photo/hljnews.cn]