Airline to Offer Boston-China Flights

Hainan Airlines will offer the first direct flights between Boston and China, officials here said Monday.

The deal between Hainan and the Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates Logan International Airport, was announced by Mayor Thomas Menino during his fourth-term inauguration speech.

It will be the first nonstop service between China and the United States for the low-cost carrier.

The agreement, which still needs Federal Aviation Administration approval, calls for cargo service to begin this summer, with passenger flights to start by year's end.

Hainan is China's fourth-largest airline and is in the process of changing its name to Grand China Airline.

News stories provided by third parties are not edited by "Site Publication" staff. For suggestions and comments, please click the Contact link at the bottom of this page.