Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Travelers throughout London and the South East can now take advantage of services offered by the three largest Chinese airlines as China Southern joins Air China and China Eastern at London Gatwick. China’s largest airline, China Southern, commenced operations at London Gatwick on December 12th. They are offering twice-weekly flights to Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, using Boeing 787-8 aircraft. This marks the exclusive direct route between London and Zhengzhou.
London Gatwick currently boasts a total of 16 weekly flights to China, with two daily services to Shanghai already in operation. These flights are expected to provide a significant economic boost to the tourism industry in London and the South East, given that Chinese visitors spent £1,937 per visit to the UK, contributing £1.71 billion to the economy in 2019, according to Visit Britain.
Stephanie Wear, VP Aviation Development, London Gatwick said: “We are delighted to welcome China Southern to London Gatwick. China is a hugely important market for us, our passengers, and the regional economy, so it’s fantastic news for London and the South East to have China’s three major airlines operating from Gatwick for the first time.
“The new service to Zhengzhou will enable passengers to not only visit a fantastic city steeped in history and culture, but also visit family and friends, and connect to destinations across China and Asia.”
Patricia Yates, Chief Executive, VisitBritain said: “China is an incredibly important inbound visitor market, our second most valuable in 2019 and we know the UK is high on the wish list of Chinese travellers. The new China Southern route into London Gatwick is fantastic news for holiday-makers and business visitors alike. We want to deliver a world-class welcome for visitors and boosting airline connectivity and seat capacity, making it easier to get to Britain, is crucial to our competitive tourism offer.”
Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan province with a population exceeding 10 million, is notable for being home to the world’s largest iPhone factory.
London Gatwick is actively investing in its long-term future, with a planning application to bring the airport’s Northern Runway into regular use recently approved for detailed examination by the Planning Inspectorate. This low-impact plan aims to enhance airport resilience, reduce delays, and provide a substantial boost to both the national and regional economy by supporting trade, tourism, and the creation of new jobs.
Monday, January 1, 2024
