London Gatwick Boosts Chinese Connections with New Beijing and Guangzhou Flights

London Gatwick Airport announces new flights to Beijing and Guangzhou this summer, expanding its network to China and bolstering trade and tourism opportunities for London and the South East.

London Gatwick Airport is set to enhance its connectivity with China this summer, introducing 10 additional flights per week to Beijing and Guangzhou. Starting from June 1, Air China will initiate daily services to Beijing Capital Airport using A330-300 aircraft. Following closely, China Southern will launch a three-times-weekly service to Guangzhou on June 20, operated by Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

These new routes increase Gatwick's weekly flights to China to 26, complementing existing services to Shanghai and Zhengzhou. This expansion is part of Gatwick's broader strategy to strengthen its Asian network, which will see a total of 85 flights per week to the continent, including new services by Singapore Airlines to Singapore and Azerbaijan Airlines to Baku.

The introduction of these flights is anticipated to bolster passenger travel and open up new avenues for regional and national trade. In 2023, the UK's exports to China saw a significant increase, amounting to £37.5 billion, up by 11.9% from the previous year. Furthermore, the increased connectivity is expected to invigorate the tourism sector, with Chinese tourists being among the highest spenders during their visits to the UK.

Stephanie Wear, VP of Aviation Development at London Gatwick, expressed enthusiasm for the new services, highlighting their potential to foster tourism and trade between London, the South East, and China. Gatwick's commitment to expanding its long-haul offerings, particularly to key markets in Asia, reflects its strategic vision for growth and development.

In addition to enhancing air connectivity, London Gatwick is investing in its infrastructure, with plans to bring its Northern Runway into regular use. This development aims to improve airport resilience, minimize delays, and contribute to the national and regional economy by supporting trade, tourism, and job creation.