Athlone man in China welcomes new direct flights

An Athlone man who last year opened an Irish restaurant in Shanghai has welcomed a Government announcement that direct flights are soon due to operate between Dublin and the Chinese city.

Curt Evans (38), who is originally from Grotto View, Battery Heights, Athlone, has been living in China for the last eight years, and was one of the members of the Irish community invited to meet Micheál Martin while the Taoiseach was in Shanghai during his official visit to China at the beginning of this year.

His meeting with the Taoiseach came just a few months after Curt, a former chef at Thyme restaurant in Athlone, opened his own new restaurant in Shanghai, called Yeats modern Irish bistro.

Westmeath Enterprise Minister Peter Burke announced recently that the first direct service from Shanghai to Dublin airport is to open later this year. Reacting to this development, Curt said it will be hugely for him, both personally and professionally.

"Living and working between the two countries, the lack of a direct connection has always been a real barrier - not just in terms of time, but also in maintaining strong relationships, whether personal or business," he said.

"From a business perspective, particularly with Yeats (restaurant) a direct flight would make a meaningful difference.

"It would help facilitate more travel from Ireland to Shanghai, whether that’s customers, collaborators, or suppliers, and it would also strengthen the sense of connection and authenticity behind what we’re doing."

Curt returns to his native Athlone for visits once or twice a year - his most recent flights to Ireland from China involved a stop-over in Helsinki, Finland.

"More broadly, I think it’s an important development for Irish business, tourism, and cultural exchange.

"There’s a growing interest in Ireland in China, and vice versa, and improving accessibility can only help deepen those ties. The announcement may also open up easier opportunities to invite over some Irish chefs to collaborate," added Curt.

The Government announcement of the Shanghai flights said: "Through the new Strategic Air Access Fund, Tourism Ireland will maximise the opportunities presented by this, as the first direct service from Shanghai to Dublin, opening up many opportunities to grow tourism from China."