New flight links Baotou with Xi’an and Hailar

By Lu Wei (chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2017-06-14

Baotou launched a direct flight linking the city with Hailar in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and Xi’an in Shaanxi province on June 12, according to Inner Mongolia Daily.

The flight, operated by Ruili Airlines using a Boeing 737-800, is scheduled to fly four times a week on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The flight leaves Xi’an at 9:45, and reaches Baotou at 10:55. It takes off again at 12:35 from Baotou Airport and arrives in Hailar at 14:45. The return flight will depart Hailar at 16:00, reaching Baotou at 18:30, and landing in Xi’an at 21:10.

One Hailar resident, whose daughter now lives in Baotou city, expressed her excitement at the launch of the direct flight. According to Jia, it used to take her nearly half a day to travel from Baotou to Hailar after a visit to her daughter. She had to take a bullet train in Baotou to get to Hohhot, capital city of Inner Mongolia, and then transfer to a direct flight heading for Hailar. The launch of the direct flight shortens her journey to merely two hours.

Baotou, the largest city of North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, aims to boost ties with other parts of the autonomous region with new air routes recently launched including direct flights to Urad Middle Banner, Arxan and Ulanhot.

Baotou residents are expected to benefit further as Baotou Airport plans to launch further direct flights to other parts of the autonomous region, such as Ulanqab League, Tongliao and Xilinhot.

A direct flight linking Baotou with Xi’an in Shaanxi province and Hailar in Inner Mongolia makes its first flight on June 12. [Photo/qlwb.com.cn]

A flight crew member is interviewed by local media in Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, June 12. [Photo/qlwb.com.cn]