London Gatwick builds on China network momentum with new Air China service to Chengdu
- Air China launches new service between London Gatwick and Chengdu Tianfu to run through the 2026 summer season
- Route further strengthens London Gatwick's growing connectivity across Asia
- Three weekly flights respond to growing demand for travel between the UK and China
Passengers heading to China can now benefit from even greater choice from London Gatwick, following the launch of a new Air China service to Chengdu Tianfu (TFU).
Flights to Chengdu launched on Sunday 12 July and will run through the 2026 summer season, creating a new direct link between London Gatwick and one of China's biggest cities.
Operating three times per week from the airport's North Terminal, the service provides additional capacity between the UK and China, meeting the growing demand for travel between the two markets.
Chengdu, the capital of China's Sichuan province, is one of the country's most important economic and cultural centres. The city combines a rich history with a rapidly growing economy and serves as a gateway to western China.
Jonny Macneal, Head of Aviation Development, London Gatwick said: "We're delighted that Air China is expanding its successful operation here at London Gatwick. This new service to Chengdu delivers even more choice for passengers travelling between the UK and China.
"Coming shortly after the return of services to Qingdao with Beijing Capital, the route demonstrates the continued growth of our China network and the strong demand we're seeing for travel between the UK and Asia."
The launch represents another significant development in London Gatwick's growing China network. Air China, one of the country's 'Big Three' airlines and the nation’s flag carrier, already operates services between the airport and Beijing and Shanghai, with Chengdu becoming the carrier's third destination from London Gatwick.
The new service follows the recent return of Beijing Capital Airlines' Qingdao route and continues a period of strong growth in connectivity between London Gatwick and China.
At peak this summer, the airport will offer 61 weekly flights to six Chinese destinations, served by Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and Beijing Capital Airlines.
With around 43m annual passengers, London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest and one of Europe’s top airports. It is a vital piece of national infrastructure that drives both the national and regional economies by generating £5.5bn GVA and supporting over 76,000 jobs (2023). More than 60 airlines fly from the airport to over 160 short-haul and more than 50 long-haul destinations. With a declared maximum capacity of 57 movements an hour, London Gatwick is the most efficient single runway airport in the world.
The airport is located 28 miles south of the UK capital and is extremely well-connected, with more than a quarter of England’s population (15m people) – including all of London – less than one hour away by road or rail. A six-year, £2bn sustainable growth programme includes an ambitious plan to be a net zero airport by 2030 and to increase capacity by bringing the airport’s existing Northern Runway into routine use, alongside its Main Runway. VINCI Airports owns a 50.01% stake in the airport, with Global Infrastructure Partners managing the remaining 49.
VINCI Airports, as the leading private airport operator in the world, manages the development and operation of more than 70 airports located in 14 countries. VINCI Airports draws on its expertise as a comprehensive integrator to develop, finance, build and operate airports, leveraging its investment capability and know-how to optimise operational performance and modernise infrastructure while bringing about their environmental transition. In 2016, VINCI Airports became the first airport operator to commit to an international environmental strategy, setting itself the aim of reaching zero net emissions (scope 1 and 2) across the network by 2050 while supporting the territories’ local climate transition.
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