Article from BTNews 2 JULY 2018
Gatwick adds Chengdu
China’s fourth-biggest city joins the Gatwick destination roster tomorrow (3 July) as the UK’s only non-stop air link with Chengdu, the prosperous capital of Sichuan province, takes off on its eastward leg, operated by Air China.
Chengdu hosts more than 270 Fortune 500 companies, and the new three-a-week service is considered likely to play an important role connecting the UK to global markets, especially China, post-Brexit. It is Gatwick’s 67th long-haul route.
The city is in the geographic centre of the country and has been developing China’s largest western transport and logistics hub, boosted by the nation’s “Belt and Road” initiative to stimulate trade and economic growth across Asia and beyond.
The new service has an annual capacity of 45,000-plus seats and more than 1,500 metric tonnes of cargo. Business passengers can take advantage of opportunities in a city known as a hub for scientific and technological innovation and a current focus on attracting foreign start-up companies.
Star Alliance member Air China, the country’s flag carrier, is operating an Airbus A330-300 on the service, departing from Gatwick on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays with Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.
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