Shenzhen Airlines will increase flights from Shenzhen to London and Melbourne this fall, including daily service to the British capital, as the carrier expands its international network with two new Southeast Asian routes.
From Sept. 22, the Shenzhen-London route will increase from five flights a week to daily service, giving travelers more flexibility for business, tourism and family visits.
Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft will begin operating selected London services from Aug. 15. Initially, A350s are scheduled on flights departing Shenzhen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. After the route becomes daily, the aircraft is planned for Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday services.
Shenzhen Airlines said the London route will become the only intercontinental service from Shenzhen operating nonstop every day once the frequency increase takes effect.
The carrier will also add more flights to Melbourne. From Oct. 25, the Shenzhen-Melbourne route will operate five times a week, with services on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Alongside the long-haul expansion, Shenzhen Airlines is adding two Southeast Asian destinations to its network.
Direct flights between Shenzhen and Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, will begin Sept. 29 and operate four times a week. The airline said the new service will fill a gap in direct air connectivity between Shenzhen and Brunei.
Daily flights between Shenzhen and Jakarta will begin Oct. 19, strengthening links between southern China and Indonesia's capital.
The route expansion comes as Shenzhen prepares to host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November, increasing the city's need for stronger international air connectivity.