Beijing Capital Airlines has become the fourth Chinese airline to serve London Heathrow

Beijing Capital Airlines has become the fourth Chinese airline to serve London Heathrow after Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines, with the carrier beginning flights to the UK hub from Qingdao on 17 November. The Hainan Group carrier will offer a twice-weekly (Mondays and Fridays) service on the 8,686-kilometre sector using its 212-seat A330-200s. For Heathrow, Qingdao becomes its fourth destination in China after Beijing, Shanghai Pudong and Guangzhou. The hub was connected to Chengdu until the end of 2016, with British Airways pulling its 787-8-operated service after a three-year operation. Qingdao services will face no direct competition, with the launch of these flights meaning Heathrow will see 55 weekly departures to China this winter, with the four Chinese airlines, along with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Airways, also serving the country market. While Beijing Capital Airlines serves Heathrow, fellow Hainan Group operator Tianjin Airlines operates into London Gatwick from Tianjin via Chongqing. Hainan Airlines itself also operates to the UK, with it serving the route between Beijing and Manchester. Beijing Capital Airlines already serves Lisbon, Madrid and Moscow Sheremetyevo with regular scheduled services from China in W17/18 when referring to OAG schedules.

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