Air China and Hainan Airlines have applied to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for rights to launch two new routes to Athens, Greece and Tel Aviv, Israel.

Air China plans to launch a thrice-weekly service from its home base Beijing to Athens in September 2017, according to an announcement released Wednesday on the CAAC's official website.

Pending government approval, the flag carrier will operate the Beijing-Athens service using Airbus A330-200 or Boeing 787 aircraft.

Meanwhile, Hainan Airlines is seeking rights for thrice-weekly services between Shanghai Pudong and Tel Aviv route from March.

It plans to use either Airbus A330-200s or Boeing 787s on the route, the CAAC added.

Currently, the Star Alliance carrier operates thrice-weekly flights to Athens with a stopover in Munch, Germany.

Hainan Airlines will be the only operator on Shanghai-Tel Aviv route.

The Air Transportation Department of CAAC is soliciting public comments on the application until January 24, 2017.