Bridging the Pacific Rim

AviaSolutions works with San José to secure new trans-Pacific service to Silicon Valley

AviaSolutions has been working with Mineta San José International Airport since October 2014 on a three-year agreement with California’s third largest airport to develop new international route access to the southern Bay Area region.

On 17 February 2015, within just 100 days of this relationship launching, the airport was pleased to announce that Hainan Airlines would be introducing new non-stop service between Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Mineta San José International Airport (SJC).

The new service, to begin 15 June 2015, was announced by San José Mayor Sam Liccardo and Hainan Executive Director (USA) Joel Chusid at a news conference at SJC. Hainan will operate five flights per week – Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – on modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft on the Beijing-Silicon Valley route. The 213-seat, two-cabin class Dreamliner will offer 36 seats in Business and 177 seats in Economy.

The route will be the first non-stop service between SJC and China, marking Hainan’s entry into the Bay Area market through the convenient SJC gateway. According to City studies, the flight’s economic impact for the San José region is estimated at $105 million annually.

“We’re delighted to celebrate the announcement of Hainan Airlines’ new direct service between Beijing and Silicon Valley” said Mayor Sam Liccardo. “With the enthusiastic support demonstrated by our global technology corporations, this new route will be a success. I thank Hainan Airlines for its significant investment in San José, and strongly encourage all business and leisure travelers to fly Hainan from Mineta San José International Airport.”

Flight 7990 will depart SJC at 13:10 and arrive Beijing at 16:40 the following day. Flight 7989 will depart Beijing at 14:30 and arrive SJC at 11:10 the same day. Flight time is 12 hours, 30 minutes westbound and 11 hours, 40 minutes eastbound. Connections to and from points throughout China are also possible throughout Hainan’s extensive domestic network.

As part of route deliberations, Hainan officials traveled to Silicon Valley to meet with senior San José Government and airport officials as well as Silicon Valley business leaders. The Hainan team toured SJC and the region and received briefings about the strong passenger demand between SJC and PEK.

AviaSolutions identified Beijing as a priority travel route for the greater San José region that has significant business and cultural links to China. Silicon Valley companies have more than 500 locations throughout China, and have a growing focus on developing more business across Asia and the China market in particular. Hainan’s non-stop flights to Beijing with connections to other Chinese cities will provide greater opportunities to enhance this business and take advantage of more efficient travel options.

With more than 220,000 Silicon Valley residents with Chinese heritage, China is a top destination for travelers returning to visit family and friends. The service is also expected to be popular with tourists and college students traveling between the Bay Area and China.

Hainan is headquartered in Haikou, China. It is the largest privately owned air transport company in China and the fourth largest airline in terms of fleet size. The airline offers scheduled domestic and international service on 500 routes from Beijing, Haikou, and other

operating bases on the China mainland. In the US, Hainan also serves Boston, Chicago-O’Hare and Seattle airports.