STARTED on May 11, Hainan Airlines' new flights from Singapore to Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province, via Haikou (Hainan), have boosted the Lion City's connections to China's interior.

An extension of the carrier’s existing Singapore-Haikou route, the twice-weekly Singapore-Haikou-Taiyuan flights are operated using Boeing 737-800 aircraft with eight first-class and 155 economy-class seats.

CTC Travel senior manager (China planner), Cui Xin, said: “Previously, tours (from Singapore) to Shanxi were only conducted upon special request. With the debut of Hainan Airlines’ service, we have created an eight-day Shanxi package featuring attractions such as Yungang Grottoes, Xuankong Shi (Hanging Monastery) and Mount Wutai.”

“This package is more suitable for repeat travellers to China who would like to explore lesser-known Chinese provinces,” she added.

Meanwhile, Hainan Airlines is currently hosting a Shanxi fam trip for Singapore travel companies from July 2-6.

According to Ryan Ren, Hainan Airlines sales manager, plans are also in the pipeline for a fam trip to Singapore for Shanxi Tourism Bureau representatives and Shanxi-based tour operators, to foster the growth of Chinese outbound travel to Singapore.

To entice travel consultants to sell the Singapore-Taiyuan route, Hainan Airlines is offering discounted fares from S$300 (US$238) per pax, excluding taxes, for group tour bookings.