China Southern and Stansted link China, U.K.

The only direct freighter service between China and the United Kingdom will begin June 20, when China Southern sends its first flight from Guangzhou to Stansted Airport. The carrier will operate two frequencies each week, creating new direct access to Chinese markets. Exports to China from the U.K. will include traditional and luxury goods. The Financial reported that Essex County, where the airport is located, has been building up its civic and economic links with China over the past 24 years. London Stansted manager Andrew Harrison said the airport has extra runway capacity to support growth and has ambitions to become the U.K.’s premier scheduled freighter airport.

About 230,000 tonnes of freight moves on more than 11,000 cargo flights to over 200 countries at Stansted each year. Textiles, fresh fruit and vegetables, electronics, pharmaceuticals, mail, horses and Formula One equipment all pass through the airport on the way to destinations all over the world.