Hainan Airlines planning first ever nonstop flights to San Jose

Silicon Valley’s international network is slated to get a major boost if China’s leading carrier Hainan Airlines succeeds in launching its operations. The airline has applied to the federal aviation authorities seeking approval to begin its first ever nonstop flights between San Jose and China from June 2015.

Hainan Airlines in a statement said that it is hoping that the U.S. Department of Transportation will approve the airline’s proposal to launch five days per week service from Mineta San Jose International Airport.

According to reports, the airport has for quite long been making extensive efforts to expand its international network by attracting various worldwide carriers. The launch of more flights out of the airport will also be an affirmation of the growing economic influence of Silicon Valley. Hainan Airlines has also said that it wants to serve the area better with its nonstop services offering competitively-priced airfares.

San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo has welcomed the airline’s move. He said, “The proposed move of Hainan Airlines to begin flights out of here signals that San Jose has won worldwide acclaim with Silicon Valley being acknowledged as the world’s second largest economy and most innovative region. The launch of flights would also create a large number of jobs in the travel-related and hospitality industries.”

Hainan Airlines has already won approval from China’s Civil Aviation Administration and is looking forward to the approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation as well. The airline is presently operating flights to Boston, Seattle and Chicago from China. Apart from these U.S. cities, San Francisco International Airport is also the only Bay Area airport providing daily nonstop flights to China.