China “step change” says IAG

To coincide with Theresa May’s visit to China last week International Airlines Group (IAG) has urged the Prime Minister to fulfil the Government’s promise to introduce a new ten-year visa for Chinese visitors that it made over two years ago.

In a letter to the Home Secretary, IAG chief executive, Willie Walsh, said: “We need a step change on China. We make it hard for Chinese tourists to visit. The USA charges £119 for a ten-year visa while Britain charges £767. Making it easier for Chinese businesses and tourists to come to the UK is critical to boosting our economy and enhancing global trading links, especially post Brexit. We continue to lose out on the new jobs that Chinese investment and affluent tourists bring”.

In 2016, the UK issued 480,000 visas to Chinese tourists while France, Germany, Italy and Spain together issued 1.5 million. The Schengen visa costs €99 and offers free access to 26 countries putting the UK at a further competitive disadvantage.

The UK and China have signed a new bilateral agreement that raises the permitted number of weekly flights between both countries from 40 to 150.

IAG also supports the granting of visas to the parents of Chinese students studying in the UK.

www.iairgroup.com

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