China Southern Airlines looks set to operate a new route from Daxing Airport, Beijing, to London from September 2019.

 

The route has been a possibility for months but, according to reporting by Business Traveller and Xinhuanet, it has now been confirmed.

 

Business Traveller speculates that China Southern could codeshare with British Airways (BA) and, if so, would provide BA with representation at Beijing’s new Daxing International Airport. The route is further expansion for China Southern, broadening the connections it offers

 

Though not yet confirmed, China Southern may choose London Heathrow instead of Gatwick. Its current routes from Guangzhou Airport arrive at Heathrow.

 

 

The state-owned airline is expected to begin operating the new route later in 2019. The exact date may depend on the opening of Daxing Airport, which is likely to be before September 30th. Also, as reported by Business Traveller, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced work on the new airport should be completed by June 30th.

 

 

As per Aviation International News, China Southern could have the biggest share of the new airport’s traffic. The CAAC has granted the airline 40% of Daxing’s air traffic resources. It will compete with China’s other state-owned airlines, China Eastern and Air China, with all three operating from the new airport as well as Beijing Capital.  Aviation International News and Xinhuanet say plans for China Southern’s new Beijing-London route will include seven round-trip flights per week.