West Air (China) (PN, Chongqing) has recommenced flights between Chongqing and Phuket, Thailand, marking the low-cost carrier's resumption of international operations.

According to ch-aviation schedules data, West Air is operating roundtrip A320-200 flights six days a week for the remainder of the year, as well as roundtrip passenger services using the same aircraft type four days a week. Flights resumed on March 10.

In what amounted to a case of bad timing, the airline first launched flights on the route in November 2019, just months ahead of the Covid-19 outbreak. Those flights primarily catered to Chinese package tourists. Prior to the pandemic, it also flew to Jeju, Mandalay International, and Osaka Kansai, but none of those flights have yet restarted.

In addition to Phuket, West Air flies its fleet of thirty-eight Airbus narrowbodies to 37 destinations within China. The airline was founded in 2007 by Hainan Airlines (HU, Haikou), part of the HNA Group's aviation arm. That business was sold to Liaoning Fangda Group...