Gatwick now connects UK to three Chinese cities, including only direct flights to Chongqing – the commercial capital of South West China Another vital connection to global markets will launch with Cathay Pacific’s first direct flights to Hong Kong from Gatwick – encouraging the growth of trading links with China and the wider Far East – the airport announced.
China is the UK’s second biggest export market outside Europe and the new four-times-a-week service to Hong Kong is Gatwick’s third new route to the country this year – with Chongqing, the commercial capital of South West China, and Tianjin, China’s third biggest city – also flown to from the airport.
The new service will be Cathay Pacific’s first UK long-haul route to feature the brand new Airbus 350-900 the quietest and most fuel efficient (25% better) aircraft of its kind.
The new Cathay Pacific service cements Gatwick’s place in the premier league of airports offering 50+ long haul routes across the globe. With Cathay Pacific and its sister airline, Cathay Dragon, connecting to 22 destinations on the Chinese mainland from Hong Kong International, the new service provides vital connections for UK businesses trading with China.
Cathay Pacific is also hosting its inaugural ‘Enabling Great Business 2016’ event this September to celebrate and explore trade between Britain, China and South-East Asia. Hosted in partnership with HSBC, the event will take place at the Shard, London Bridge on 22 September 2016.
Guy Stephenson, Chief Commercial Officer, Gatwick Airport, said:”Hong Kong is the premier gateway to China and we are delighted to welcome Cathay Pacific – one of the World’s premier airlines – to Gatwick.
“The new flights mark an important milestone in the growth of the Gatwick long haul network, which now more than ever provides the UK economy with vital routes into the World’s most important markets.â€
