China Southern Launches Direct Service Between Beijing Daxing and Helsinki
China Southern successfully held the inaugural flight ceremony at Beijing Daxing International Airport on March 29, marking the official launch of the airlines first route to Finland and the first direct service between Beijing Daxing and Northern Europe operated by a Chinese carrier. The new service is currently the only direct flight connecting the capitals of China and Finland, creating a new air bridge between China and Northern Europe.
The route is operated with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, three flights weekly during the initial phase. Starting from June 20, the service frequency will increase to daily operations, offering passengers greater flexibility and convenience. Outbound flight CZ8171 departs from Beijing Daxing International Airport at 14:55 Beijing time and arrives at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport at 18:35 local time. Return flight CZ8172 departs from Helsinki at 20:35 local time and arrives in Beijing at 09:40 the following day, Beijing time.
Ahead of the inaugural flight, China Southerns flight crew completed comprehensive operational preparations tailored to Nordic weather conditions, Helsinki Airport operating standards and aircraft operation procedures. Flight plans were further optimized in accordance with European airspace regulations to ensure safe and efficient operations. To celebrate the launch of the new service, the cabin was specially decorated with festive Chinese-themed elements in red tones, including koi motifs and auspicious cloud patterns symbolizing prosperity and good fortune, which created a warm and joyful atmosphere for passengers onboard.
Known as the “Land of a Thousand Lakes”, Finland is renowned for its pristine natural landscapes, minimalist design culture and relaxed Nordic lifestyle. From Helsinki, travelers can conveniently access Finlands eastern lake districts, coastal archipelagos and the northern Lapland region, home to the Northern Lights and Santa Claus Village.
Passengers from more than 50 cities across China can connect via Beijing Daxing Airport to Helsinki and other destinations across Europe. Eligible overnight transit passengers traveling on designated routes and fare classes may also enjoy complimentary hotel accommodation and airport transfer services provided by China Southern. The airline has also launched two-way through check-in and through baggage services for the route, allowing passengers to travel with a single ticket and have baggage checked through to their final destination when transiting via Beijing Daxing. Through partnerships with airlines including Finnair, passengers arriving in Helsinki can also conveniently connect onward to destinations across Northern Europe and the Baltic region.
To support the smooth launch of the new service, China Southern added dedicated check-in counters at Daxing Airport and enhanced passenger assistance services for document verification, baggage handling and transit guidance. Special support measures have also been introduced for elderly passengers, children and families traveling with infants. In addition, the airline has expanded multilingual passenger support services and upgraded its AI-powered multilingual translation screens at check-in counters, providing real-time translation and smart passenger assistance.
The new route will also enhance cargo connectivity between China and Finland by reducing reliance on transit stops such as Copenhagen and Brussels, significantly shortening transportation time. For exports, China Southern will leverage Helsinki’s extensive trucking network in Europe to build an integrated logistics corridor linking Beijing Daxing with destinations across the continent, supporting the efficient transportation of e-commerce products, apparel and industrial components. For imports, the airline will utilize Beijing Daxing International Airport’s capabilities for handling chilled aquatic products, enabling fresh Nordic salmon to be transported directly to Beijing with more efficient cold-chain logistics services.
The successful launch of the Beijing Daxing–Helsinki route marks another important step in China Southern’s continued expansion of its international network. The airline will continue optimizing its global route portfolio and enhancing international connectivity while delivering warm and attentive service to passengers worldwide.