An Air China aircraft which landed at the Malta International Airport was a stopover for a government delegation returning from Brazil and had no passengers who stayed in Malta.
The Boeing 747-400 landed in Malta on Tuesday morning and took off in the afternoon. On board was Chinese vice-president Wang Qishan with a delegation returning from the inauguration of new Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva' in Brasilia.
The aircraft stopped in Malta for a crew rest before continuing on its route to Beijing, sources said. Vice-president Qishan met with Chinese embassy officials during the stopover period, they added.
An airport spokesperson confirmed the Air China flight “was a PRC [People’s Republic of China] state flight".
The sight of an Air China plane on the MIA runway sparked interest, given that there are no direct flights between Malta and China.
COVID concerns
China has been at the centre of attention recently as COVID cases have spiralled out of control in the country, following a relaxation of its zero-COVID policy.
Along with easing virus containment measures, the Chinese government has also made it easier for Chinese citizens to travel abroad again, sparking...
