British Airways customers are set to gain access to even more Chinese cities thanks to a new codeshare agreement with China Southern Airlines.
As part of the new agreement, customers can book seats on China Southern Airlines flights to four destinations in China – Shenyang, Harbin, Changchun and Dalian.
The four destinations are important business hubs in China, making trade between British and Chinese businesses across the country even easier.
British Airways customers will be able to connect on to Shenyang and Harbin through Shanghai, connect on to Dalian through Beijing, and connect on to Changchun through either Shanghai or Beijing.
British Airways offers ten weekly flights to Shanghai and seven to Beijing, from London Heathrow.
Alex Cruz, chief executive of British Airways, said: “We are excited by today’s announcement, which will help to drive tourism and economic and cultural exchange between the UK and China, by facilitating reciprocal leisure and business travel.
“Now we need the British government to take urgent action on its visa policy by making it easier for Chinese businesses and tourists to come to the UK.
“China is the world’s second largest economy and we need to do all we can to encourage these trade links.
“This is even more critical post Brexit.
“We want to achieve our vision of becoming the most popular European airline among Chinese customers.
“Today’s agreement will help us build toward that vision and it is great news for us to be able to offer all our customers the chance to travel to new destinations.”
As part of the agreement, China Southern Airlines customers will be able to book seats on British Airways flights to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Belfast, connecting on to these destinations through London Heathrow.
China Southern Airlines operates the largest fleet, most developed route network and largest passenger capacity of any airline in China, devoted to providing a comfortable travel service.
China Southern Airlines has formed an extensive network both throughout China and globally with Guangzhou, Beijing, Urumqi hubs.