London Gatwick is celebrating the planned return of Air China’s flights to Beijing.

Following a short break over the winter – China’s flagship carrier is serving Gatwick four times a week direct from the country’s capital during the summer, when passenger demand is strongest.

The Gatwick-Beijing route builds on the diverse links Gatwick already has to high-growth and emerging markets across the globe.

Since its change of ownership in 2009, Gatwick has attracted many new airlines and routes serving some of the world’s most dynamic economies.

From Russia and Turkey to Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Indonesia, Gatwick serves more than 200 destinations including key markets businesses in particular are keen to explore.

And Air China’s offering to Gatwick passengers only begins in Beijing. Beyond China’s biggest business centre and major tourist attraction, Air China’s connections across Asia and onto Australia are fast, affordable and diverse for business and leisure travellers alike.

New regulation also offers the opportunity to stay in Beijing for up to 72 hours without the need for a visa.

Xiaoming Wu, general manager for Air China UK & Ireland, said: “There is an increasingly strong demand for air travel between the UK and China’s major cities.

“Last year alone the number of passengers who flew between the two countries exceeded two million and Air China feels that it is now an excellent opportunity to capture good business in such a massive market.

“London Gatwick is conveniently located less than 30 minutes away from central London by the express train and offers great facilities to business passengers, making it ideal for Chinese services.

“We trust that together with Air China’s strong network across Asia and Australia, our flights between Gatwick and Beijing will greatly enhance the passenger travel experience as well as benefiting the communications and exchanges between people across the two countries.”
Gatwick serves – from Vietnam to Russia and the Middle East.”

Air China will provide a non-stop service from London Gatwick to Beijing International Airport four times a week on the Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which offers Business Class and Economy Class seating.