Workers load a Xiamen Air aircraft before it leaves for Valencia, Spain on May 29. [Photo/xmnn.cn]
Xiamen Air launched its first flight to Valencia, Spain on May 29. This marked the first time a Chinese civil airliner has landed in the Mediterranean port city, Xiamen Daily reported.
The aircraft was loaded with 8,537 kilograms of goods, including face masks and gloves to help fight the novel coronavirus outbreak.
All goods were packed using waterproof materials to prevent them from water damage while in transit.
Officials said that the shipment took no more than two months to prepare after the company decided to launch the new flight. A special team was set up to ensure that everything proceeded smoothly.
The new flight was a part of the airline's efforts to promote trade and logistics between China and Western countries in response to the Belt and Road Initiative.
The company plans to make Valencia a regular flight destination, helping turn Xiamen into a logistics center for cross-border e-commerce platforms and further linking the city with Spain.
The new flight is also expected to help Xiamen Air expand into the European market.
China has decided to extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom starting from Feb 17.
Forty-one new port-of-entry duty-free shops have been established nationwide, with Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport, Xiamen Wutong Passenger Wharf, and Xiamen International Cruise Center included on the list.
