A China Southern 777F touches down in Stansted Airport.(Photo provided to China Daily)
China Southern Cargo launched its first non-stop flights between China and the UK on Saturday, a move expected to boost trade between the two countries.
The airline will fly to London's Stansted airport from China's third largest city, Guangzhou, on a twice weekly basis using a Boeing 777-200 freighter, increasing to three times a week later this year.
Zhao Fengsheng, senior vice-president of China Southern Cargo, said the move was a milestone for the airline.
"We are excited by having the opportunity to deploy our freighter capacity into the UK, in addition to our existing passenger flights. Positive bilateral trade between China and the UK in recent years supports our decision to start this service. It is a significant step for China Southern Cargo to further strengthen our China-Europe operation in support of the "New Silk Road" initiative," Zhao said.
"Sino-UK trade volume is targeted to reach $100 billion this year. Further cooperation and exchange between China and the UK in the fields of science, technology and trade will create additional demand for air transportation".
Zhao believes being the only direct freighter link between China and UK will give a big boost to the local economy, employment and bilateral trade between the two countries.
"Connecting Stansted with our hub in Guangzhou, China Southern is willing to play an active role in business facilitation by providing a variety of cargo products and choices to serve the shipping community in the UK," said Zhao.
Andrew Harrison, managing director of London Stansted Airport, welcomed the news and said it would offer UK businesses direct access to Chinese markets.
"We are delighted China Southern Cargo has selected Stansted as the base for its new UK service. It clearly demonstrates returning confidence in trade between the two countries and is great news for businesses across UK and in particular the eastern region looking to access the Chinese market. This is the culmination of several years of working with the airline and their partners to ensure we deliver this new service," Harrison said.
Zhou Tieying, general manager of China Southern Airlines' London office, believes the new freight service will extend London's reach into a critical market and strengthen China Southern's European freight network, saying: "It will help improve our freight connectivity in Europe and provide yet more variety of products to the local market".
Over the past 24 years Essex County Council has built up a range of civic and economic links with China.
Kevin Bentley, Essex County Council cabinet member for economic growth and infrastructure, welcomed the announcement and said the service will further boost ties between the two countries.
"We welcome news of this new cargo flight to China, the only direct freight link between the UK and China – proof again that Essex means business and is the county to be for business growth. Essex has a long-established special link with China, and this new route will further strengthen it. Essex County Council is seeing increased interest in China from businesses. Exports from the UK to China of traditional and luxury goods and education, plus environmental services and technologies, continue to grow," he said.
