Monday, February 19, 2024
Travelers in London and the South East are set to enjoy 10 additional weekly flights to China this summer, thanks to new services announced by leading airlines Air China and China Southern.
Starting June 1, Air China will offer daily trips from London Gatwick to Beijing Capital Airport using the A330-300 aircraft. Shortly after, on June 20, China Southern will initiate a tri-weekly flight schedule to Guangzhou utilizing Boeing 787-8 planes.
These introductions increase London Gatwick’s weekly flight offerings to China to 26, complementing existing routes to Shanghai (operated by China Eastern and Air China) and Zhengzhou (by China Southern). When combined with services from Air India, Emirates, Saudia, Qatar Airways, the newly added Singapore Airlines, and Azerbaijan Airlines’ journeys to Baku, London Gatwick will see a total of 85 flights to Asia each week during this summer season.
Beyond enhancing travel options, these new air routes are poised to bolster both regional and national commerce. In 2023, the UK’s exports to China surged by 11.9%, reaching £37.5 billion in value.
Furthermore, the introduction of these flights is expected to invigorate the tourism sector in London and the South East. Data from Visit Britain shows that in 2019, Chinese tourists averaged £1,937 in spending per visit to the UK, contributing a total of £1.71 billion.
Stephanie Wear, VP Aviation Development, London Gatwick said: “These new services to China are fantastic news for both passengers and businesses across London and the South East, providing greater opportunities for tourism and trade.
“Having welcomed both Air China and China Southern to the airport last year, the additional routes highlight the carriers’ commitment to growth at London Gatwick. Alongside China Eastern, we are delighted to continue growing these positive relationships with China’s three largest airlines.
“We can’t wait for these new services to take off and we look forward to developing our long-haul offer from London Gatwick across key markets like Asia.”
In anticipation of future growth, London Gatwick is committed to expanding its infrastructure, with plans to activate its Northern Runway for regular operations. This proposal, which is currently under thorough review by the Planning Inspectorate, aims to enhance airport resilience, minimize flight delays, and significantly contribute to the local and national economies through the facilitation of trade, tourism, and employment creation.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
