China Southern Airlines has confirmed it will begin flying between London Heathrow Airport and Guangzhou on June 6th after years of negotiations.

Guangzhou is the third largest city in China, with China Southern becoming the first airline to offer a direct service.

The new route will operate three times a week from Terminal 4.

China Southern had to wait eight years for a suitable take-off slot to become available at London Heathrow.

The London airport is presently operating at 99.2 per cent of its permitted capacity.

The situation prompted BAA to argue the UK was losing out in trade with China and other developing markets while aviation capacity remained limited.