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Heathrow wins direct link to Qingdao

[ April 25, 2017   //   ]

Hainan Airlines subsidiary Beijing Capital Airlines is to launch a three times a week service from Heathrow to Qingdao this summer – the first direct link from the airport to one of the fastest growing cities in China. It follows last year’s agreement between the UK and the Chinese Government s’ successful to significantly increase the number of permitted flights between the two countries  and lifting previous restrictions limiting airlines to six destinations in each country. The new route will provide nearly 4,000 tonnes of new cargo space to Shandong province.

Heathrow will have direct connections to four cities in mainland China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Qingdao) – but there are 10 others that can be flown to from EU rival hubs, Heathrow points out.  In 2014, the Chinese ambassador wrote to then Prime Minister, David Cameron, calling for Heathrow expansion,.

Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: “As the UK’s gateway to the world, we are delighted to welcome Beijing Capital Airlines and the tremendous, previously untapped opportunities of the Qingdao market for British business.  In the future, the UK’s ability to trade in the world will rely on direct access to new, expanding markets like these. But this is only the start. With expansion, Heathrow will provide British exporters access to up to 40 new long-haul destinations across the globe – including more Chinese cities- and send a powerful message that Britain is open for business and our future is stronger as a global, outward looking, trading nation.”

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