Heathrow welcomes first direct flight to Chongqing
This weekend, Heathrow welcomed its first flight arriving directly from the Chinese megacity of Chongqing.
Operated by Tianjin Airlines, this thrice weekly service will be able to transport up to 81,000 passengers a year and offer space for 3,744 tonnes of annual exports and imports to this megacity in the Chinese interior.
According to census data, Chongqing is the most populous Chinese municipality and is still growing. It is a popular tourist destination, used as a launching point for scenic boat trips down the Yangtze River, through the Three Gorges Dam. Visitors can get lost in the maze of back streets in Chongqing’s Cíqìkǒu Ancient Town, which features buildings dating back to the Ming dynasty. For those with adventurous culinary tastes, Chongqing offers its famous hotpots, tongue-numbing, spicy broths that have grown so popular that they have their own dedicated festival in November.
Chongqing is part of the 'West Triangle Economic Zone' in China which includes Chengdu and Xi’an and contributes nearly 40% of Western China’s GDP. The economic growth of Chongqing regularly tops that of other Chinese cities, and there are no signs of it slowing down.
Tianjin airlines will fly an Airbus A330-200 on the service, which will depart from Heathrow on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Last year 2.8 million passengers – an increase of nearly 2% from 2016 - and 137,000 tonnes of cargo – an increase of more than 10% from 2016 - travelled directly to and from China from Heathrow.
Ross Baker, Heathrow Chief Commercial Officer said: “We are tremendously pleased to welcome our 10th direct connection to China – and direct link to some of the most stunning scenery and culinary experiences China has to offer."