Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport welcomed the inaugural flight of a new nonstop passenger service to Surabaya, Indonesia, on September 15, the first direct passenger connection between South China and the East Java city.
China Southern Airlines will operate the route twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, starting Sept. 16, with an Airbus A321 aircraft. Outbound flight CZ8341 departs Shenzhen at 4:45 p.m. and arrives in Surabaya at 9 p.m. Return flight CZ8342 departs Surabaya at 10:30 p.m. local time and arrives in Shenzhen at 5 a.m. the following day.
China Southern Airlines staff members interact with passengers at the boarding gate Sept 15.
The new route adds another direct connection between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Indonesia, facilitating business and tourism between the two regions.
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city and a major economic center in East Java. The city has also hosted APEC-related meetings.
A celebration of the maiden flight of China Southern Airlines' Shenzhen-Surabaya route Sept 15.
The launch comes as Shenzhen prepares to host APEC meetings in 2026. The new service is expected to improve travel between Shenzhen and Indonesia for participants in APEC-related activities and other business travelers.
The route could also strengthen economic ties between the GBA and East Java, particularly in manufacturing and trade, by making business travel between the two regions more convenient.
Photos: China Southern Airlines