New China Honolulu Route To Bring 78,000 Visitors

File photo.

By Sonia Isotov

When China Eastern Airlines begins its new Honolulu route on August 9, the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is projecting that approximately 82,000 new visitors will begin coming to Hawaii.

The HTA is reporting that China Eastern Airlines is currently working with the Hawai’i Department of Transportation to establish nonstop service from Shanghai, China to Honolulu. If successful, the new route will be the first regularly scheduled flight between China and Hawai’i. The new route will have two weekly flights and begin Aug. 9, 2011.

“This new route creates ease and availability for those who travel between Hawai’i and China. Prior to this, travelers from China were routed through Korea or Japan. Shanghai is a major Asian hub and we anticipate that visitors from all over China and other parts of Asia will utilize this route.” Said Mike MacCartney, President and CEO, Hawaii Tourism Authority, in a written statement released by the HTA today.

The HTA is predicting that this new route will add $60 million in annual visitor expenditures and stimulate new job growth in the islands. This number is based on the fact that in February, China Eastern Airlines ran three charter flights run which provided 777 air seats and generated an estimated $1.7 million in director visitor expenditures. The average per person per day spending is projected to be $368.

The first 50 flights of the route will run from Aug. 2011-Jan. 2012, and are being sold through CTrip and U-tour travel companies.