Chongqing - The nonstop air service between London Heathrow and Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport allows travelers to connect to more than 60 Chinese cities through Chongqing, with connecting passengers accounting for nearly half of those using the route. At an event in London on Oct. 19 to promote the route and Chongqing's tourism offerings, airline representatives shared these figures, while participants discussed plans to improve transfer services and develop travel packages.

Tianjin Airlines, which operates the twice-weekly service, said the route has carried more than 120,000 passengers since flights resumed in May 2023. The airline currently operates Airbus A330 aircraft on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

China began allowing eligible holders of ordinary British passports to enter the country without a visa for up to 30 days on Feb. 17, 2026. The policy, which remains in effect through Dec. 31, 2026, covers tourism, business, visits to family and friends, exchanges, and transit.

The London service is part of Chongqing's wider international air network. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport said on Oct. 8 that it had handled 2.281 million international and regional passenger trips so far in 2026, up 33.6 percent year on year. At the time, the airport served 41 international and regional passenger routes, with 266 flights per week.

The London event was organized by Chongqing Airport Group and Tianjin Airlines, drawing about 80 representatives from the aviation, tourism, business, and media sectors in China and the UK. They discussed flight connections, transfer services, Chongqing's tourism offerings, and ways to attract more British visitors to the city and other destinations in China.

Zhang Li, director of the China National Tourist Office in London, called for closer cooperation to develop travel packages combining flights with tourism experiences. He also proposed inviting British travel companies and travel content creators to visit Chongqing and help introduce the city to more people in the UK.

Tianjin Airlines plans to improve connecting travel options and transfer services, drawing on tourism resources in Chongqing and western China. Chongqing Airport Group also plans to strengthen its international flight network and improve passenger services to support travel between Chongqing and overseas markets.

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