Air China to discontinue service to Gatwick from winter 2013

Air China, the big commercial carrier of China, which announced its decision to discontinue direct operations to London Gatwick airport has surprised its passengers. The airline is keen to focus on its service to Heathrow hence arriving at this conclusion.

Gatwick, which is London city’s second major airport has been facing service withdrawals by leading airlines in the last five years. Airlines discontinuing service to the airport has led to a void. The authorities that have managed to add new flights instead hope that this exit is a temporary one.

In an official statement passed, the airport authorities said that Air China flights between Beijing and London Gatwick will cease to operate beginning the winter of 2013. It said that ever since the airline launched this service in May 2012, the passenger traffic between the two airports remained strong.

Apparently the carrier, which boosted capacity on its flights between Beijing and London Heathrow is the reason behind discontinuing service to Gatwick. However, the airline expects to resume service in summer 2014 but the airport management will pursue it to offer year-round flights.

The airline is the flagship carrier of China and offers services to destinations across the Americas, Asia, Europe and other important cites throughout the globe. The airline is headquartered in Beijing and operates out of its hub at Beijing Capital International Airport.