Summary
- Hainan Airlines will operate daily Beijing-Moscow flights starting March 31st.
- Multiple Chinese airlines are offering free ticket changes and refunds after the Moscow attack.
- Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport is functioning under enhanced security measures.
According to the information released by Hainan Airlines, following the Moscow terrorist attack, Hainan Airlines will fully ensure the stable operation of its Beijing to Moscow route.
In response to the recent terrorist attack, Hainan Airlines has coimmitted to increase the frequency of Beijing to Moscow flights to daily starting from March 31st. Before this, there were four round-trip flights between Beijing and Moscow each week, operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Photo: Thiago B Trevisan | Shutterstock
Hainan Airlines will use the Airbus A330-300 aircraft for the Beijing-Moscow route, offering approximately 300 seats for each flight. Hainan Airlines stated that this would provide passengers with “ample seat availability, relatively stable ticket prices, and safe, convenient flight services.”
Hainan Airlines offers passengers free ticket refunds
In addition to increasing the frequency of Beijing to Moscow flights, Hainan Airlines is also offering free ticket changes and refunds to passengers who have purchased tickets for Moscow and St. Petersburg within one month after the attack (from March 23rd to April 23rd). In fact, among the top six domestic airlines in China ranked by daily average flight volume, all five have issued statements allowing free ticket changes or refunds on relevant flights during the specified time period. Simple Flying summarizes the information for our readers as follows:
|
Airlines |
The flights involved |
The timeframe involved |
|---|---|---|
|
Flights involving arrivals or departures at Moscow airports |
March 23rd – April 23rd |
|
|
For international, regional, and domestic flights, tickets must include at least one unused segment involving flights to, from, or via Moscow (including flights operated by China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, or other China Eastern affiliated airlines) |
March 22nd – April 21st |
|
|
Flights operated by China Southern Airlines (CZ) or codeshare flights using CZ flight numbers for arrivals, departures, or stopovers at Moscow airports |
March 23rd – April 23rd |
|
|
Flights operated by Sichuan Airlines for arrivals or departures at Moscow and St. Petersburg airports |
March 23rd – April 23rd |
Shenzhen Airlines is the only airline among the top six in China ranked by daily average flight volume that has not yet issued a statement regarding free ticket changes or refunds.
Moscow’s largest airport is operating normally
On March 23rd, Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) announced that the airport continues to operate under enhanced security measures in cooperation with law enforcement. Both passenger and cargo services are proceeding as scheduled.
The airport stated that Russian and foreign airlines’ arrivals and departures are proceeding as planned. Departing passengers are advised to arrive at the airport early and strictly adhere to all regulatory measures when passing through security checkpoints. Passengers are reminded not to carry prohibited items or items resembling weapons or ammunition on board, to remain vigilant, and to cooperate with airport staff during check-in procedures.
Photo: vaalaa / Shutterstock
Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO) is located northwest of Moscow and is relatively close to the location of the Moscow State Concert Hall, where the terrorist attack occurred on the evening of the 22nd. It is also a major airport for flights between Moscow and cities in China.
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