Direct Brussels-Beijing flight mooted

28 February 2005

BRUSSELS – Belgium’s Economic Minister Marc Verwilghen is hoping for a deal to start direct flights between Brussels and Beijing.

There is currently no direct link to China despite the increasing number of Chinese tourists and businessmen coming to Belgium and the high numbers of Belgians heading to China.

Last November, the question of a link resurfaced when Prince Philippe went to China on a visit to promote Belgian trade there.

On Sunday, the Flanders’ Economic Minister Fientje Moerman met with the head of the Chinese airline Hainan Airlines and with the managers of Biac, the company which manages Brussels National Airport.

This week, the parties were due to meet with Minister Verwilghen and with representatives from the Chinese Embassy and SN Brussels Airlines.

Subject: Belgian news