Gatwick connects UK businesses with China as Cathay Pacific launches new Hong Kong flight

Gatwick saw the launch of Cathay Pacific’s first direct flights to Hong Kong on Friday (September 2nd).

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.

The other two routes go to Chongqing, the commercial capital of South West China, and Tianjin, China’s third biggest city.

The new service will be Cathay Pacific’s first UK long-haul route to feature the new Airbus 350-900 – the quietest and most fuel efficient (25% better) aircraft of its kind.

With the new Cathay Pacific service, Gatwick now offers 50+ long haul routes across the globe.

Cathay Pacific and its sister airline, Cathay Dragon, connect 22 destinations on the Chinese mainland from Hong Kong International, therefore this new service provides vital connections for UK businesses trading with China.

Guy Stephenson, chief commercial officer at 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.”

Neil Glenn, Cathay Pacific’s general manager of Europe, added: “We are committed to providing our passengers with greater choice and flexibility, and this new non-stop service from Gatwick to Hong Kong is testament to this.

“With 2016 marking Cathay Pacific’s 70th anniversary, we are proud to now offer passengers three non-stop routes from the UK to Hong Kong, and then beyond.”

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