Beijing Capital Airlines Launches New London Gatwick Service

LONDON — On June 26, 2026, the low-cost Chinese carrier, Beijing Capital Airlines (JD) launched a direct service to London Gatwick Airport (LGW) from Qingdao Jiaodong Airport (TAO), located in China’s coastal Shandong province

According to Gatwick Airport, the HNA-group airline will operate the weekly flights as part of its 2026 Summer schedule after a successful run in the same period of 2025. LGW’s Head of Aviation Development, Jonny Macneal, said the “new route reflects the strong demand we are seeing for travel between the UK and Asia”. 

In recent years, Chinese tourism from the UK has seen greater popularity, with an increase from 2024 to the first half of 2025 of 8%. Earlier this year in February, a visa-free policy was introduced for British passport holders visiting China.