Shenzhen Airlines to resume flight to London

Shenzhen Airlines will resume its direct flights between Shenzhen and London starting from March 26, according to an announcement from the company.

Passenger planes of Shenzhen Airlines are seen at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport. Photos from DT News

This is the airline’s second European route to resume this year, following the Shenzhen-Amsterdam route.

The Shenzhen-London flight will operate every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to Shenzhen Airlines.

Flight ZH9067 departs from Shenzhen at noon and arrives in London in the evening the following day.

With the impact of COVID-19 fading and the aviation industry recovering, international flights are spiking. Data from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport showed its passenger turnover in February reached 3.79 million trips, up 101.85% year on year. International passenger turnover reached 48,600 trips, 12.7 times more year on year. By the end of February, the airport had received a total of 87,000 passenger trips, 8.51 times more year on year.

After China has eased its COVID-19 prevention and control measures, many domestic and international airlines increased their international flights from Shenzhen, especially to Southeast Asian countries.

Shenzhen airport is trying to reach a passenger turnover of 45 million trips in 2023, which accounts for 90% of the pre-pandemic figure in 2019. It also aims to receive 50% of the international passengers in 2019 this year.

"Aircraft Shenzhen," a Shenzhen Airlines passenger plane with patterns of Shenzhen elements painted on its body, will soon begin its maiden flight season.

During the work meeting for 2023 in February, the city’s transport bureau said it will support airline companies to open or intensify international routes to enhance Shenzhen’s connection with innovative global cities and emerging markets.

In another development, the airport’s cargo, parcel and mail turnover in February reached 103,800 tons, half of which were international freight and on regional routes to Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.

Between January and February, international air freight routes and regional routes with Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao increased by 6.6% year on year. Business involving fresh and frozen products via cold-chain air transport went up by 29%, and by the end of February, Shenzhen’s air cargo network was linked with 35 cities in 23 countries and regions.