China Southern Airlines began two new routes in quick succession this week, launching services from Wuhan to London Heathrow on 30 May, followed by flights from Guangzhou to Da Nang on 1 June

The 8,867-kilometre Wuhan to Heathrow service will be flown three times weekly using the airline’s A330-200s, with no direct competition being provided. OAG Schedules Analyser data shows that China Southern already operates into Heathrow from Guangzhou and, in addition to the new Wuhan route, it will add a further connection to the London hub in July when it introduces a twice-weekly service from Sanya. The 975-kilometre Asian link between Guangzhou and Da Nang will be operated daily by the carrier’s mixed fleet of 737s. This route faces incumbent competition in the form of Vietnam Airlines (three weekly flights) and Hainan Airlines (twice-weekly).

Aenna