China Southern Airlines launches its new Canton Route tomorrow, with the start of flights between Guangzhou and London Heathrow airport.
The new service will link with the airline’s existing flights to Sydney and Melbourne, forming a new one-stop connection between Australia and the UK. Passengers connecting in Guangzhou can expect a three-hour stopover, meaning the entire Canton Route will take just 26 hours.
The aim is to rival traditional stopover points such as Singapore, Bangkok and Dubai for the lucrative ‘Kangaroo Route’ market.
“Australia is one of our most valued international markets and we are thrilled to now be able to link Australians directly with the UK and Europe through our lively hub in southern China,” said Henry He, China Southern’s Regional General Manager for Australia & New Zealand.
“Through this new route, Guangzhou, known as ‘Old Canton’ to many Australians, provides a gateway to the fascinating and beautiful southern regions of mainland China.
“What is particularly exciting for Australians is that they can break the long-haul flight to the UK and Europe in Guangzhou and sample authentic Cantonese flavours, great shopping and the vibrant culture that thrives in this burgeoning Chinese city,” he added.
China Southern will serve London three times a week from Guangzhou, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Passengers connecting from Sydney and Melbourne to London via Guangzhou will have a three-hour stopover, while those from Perth to Paris will have an eight-hour wait in Guangzhou. Passengers connecting between Brisbane and Amsterdam face a 7.5 hour stopover.
The airline currently offers 11 weekly flights to Sydney, 10 to Melbourne, four to Brisbane and three to Perth, as well as daily services to Auckland. By 2015, the airline plans to operate 55 weekly flights to Australia and New Zealand.
