Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
AsiaWire/Weibo
Chinese residents are paying exorbitant prices for flights out of the UK amid criticism of Boris Johnson’s COVID-19 containment plans.
Last week, many Chinese students in the UK complained on social media that their flights to China were cancelled and asked Air China for an explanation.
Following rumours that Air China had halted the service between London and Beijing, the airline confirmed that some flights had been cut but the route would not be suspended, according to local media.
One netizen wrote on Weibo: “We’ve paid a lot of money, but the problem is there are no flights.”
Last Thursday, one high school student, surnamed Zhu, based in the UK found that his flight from London to Beijing had been suddenly cancelled, according to reports.
His father told Chinese media that they will continue to search for a ticket, adding: “We are determined to bring him back as the UK government’s passive strategy in dealing with the pandemic is very worrisome.”
The father added: “Despite the impact on his studies, I hope he can come back. Quarantine in Beijing is way better than staying in the UK.”
According to local media, the rush to buy flight tickets has seen some passengers paying as much as 25,700 USD (20,975 GBP) for a place on a business jet.
Cambridge University student Hilbert Xiao told Chinese media that he paid 20,000 RMB (2,355 GBP), seven times the normal fee, to fly from London to Shanghai via Osaka in Japan after his previous flight was suddenly cancelled.
Xiao said that many Chinese classmates have flown into China via Osaka or Tokyo as no direct flights have been available.
A business jet company said that 40 seats on a flight from London to Shanghai were booked up in minutes with prices starting from 180,000 RMB (20,920 GBP).
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