Han Ximin, Wang Suwan, Tao Qiang

ximhan@126.com

A FLIGHT numbered ZH9067/8 left the Shenzhen airport at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday to Heathrow Airport, marking the opening of the Shenzhen-London air route of Shenzhen Airlines.

It is Shenzhen Airlines’ first regular intercontinental route and the city’s first direct route to London.

The air route covers a distance of 6,000 kilometers in 13.5 hours.

The flight, using an A330-300, operates three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. It arrives at London at 7:40 p.m. local time. It leaves from Heathrow Airport at 9:40 p.m. and arrives at Shenzhen at 5:40 the following day.

The opening of the flight not only provides a new choice for business and tourism travelers from the Guangzhou and Shenzhen areas, but also stimulates the development of the economy, culture and tourism between China and the U.K., a major partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The route is also helpful in deepening cooperation between the two countries politically, economically, and in trade and energy.

Xu Songming, vice secretary general of Shenzhen Municipal Government, Chen Juming, chairman of Air Bus China Co. Ltd., Zheng Hongbo, chairman of Shenzhen Airport Shareholding Co. Ltd., Chen Zhiyong, president of Shenzhen Airlines, and Liu Jun, secretary of CPC Shenzhen Airlines Committee, attended the inauguration ceremony Tuesday.

As the company’s first intercontinental route, Shenzhen Airlines has selected eight experienced veteran pilots who have passed a series of qualification tests, including international English communications proficiency skills, to operate it.

The pilots have completed simulation training for Heathrow Airport in an all-English environment from arrival, ground operations and departure. They also had training on emergency landing to other airports. The flight attendants were also selected from among more than 50 candidates. The first batch of on-duty flight attendants passed training for providing intercontinental route services including operations, meal service and safety.

At Heathrow Airport, Shenzhen Airlines, as a member of Star Alliance and in compliance with the standards of the alliance’s Under One Roof policy, cooperates with other Star Alliance member airlines that are stationed at Terminal 2 of Heathrow Airport to offer seamless service for transfer passengers. Passengers can complete DIY check-in and luggage consignment services at Heathrow Airport with 33 dispensers installed at Terminal 2. The airline will also offer 230 different types of in-flight offerings including meals, vegetables, drinks, tea and pastries, and souvenirs.

As intercontinental flights are lengthy, the food standards for them are higher than those of domestic flights and more complicated than those of flights to Southeast Asian countries. With this in mind, the airline company also innovatively added afternoon tea to the services on the Shenzhen-London route, in addition to dinner, breakfast and a snack. Considering the tastes of Western passengers, the company added cheesecake, peach cakes, chestnut cakes, salads and Western-style pantry options.

Canton morning tea is an indispensable part of flights departing from Shenzhen. Rice noodle rolls, shrimp dumplings, steamed dumplings, and baked rice with sausages have also been added to the menu. The foods incorporate a choice of beef, pork or seafood, making personalization possible for passengers.

The passengers of cities neighboring Shenzhen can enjoy a free car pick-up service after purchasing tickets from Shenzhen to London. Passengers from Hong Kong can enjoy a free bus service when coming and leaving from Shenzhen airport. Passengers who make transfers to London at the Shenzhen airport can enjoy a one-night free stay at a Shenzhen hotel.

During the promotional period, before Dec. 10, the minimum fare for a round trip is 3,500 yuan (US$435) (tax included).

For trips between Dec. 11 and June 10, 2019, the minimum fare for a round trip is 4,200 yuan (tax included), according to the airline.

As of June 2018, Shenzhen Airlines’ fleet consists of 210 planes, operating nearly 300 air routes both domestic and overseas.

Shenzhen Airlines started its international routes with a brand-wide makeover after joining the Star Alliance in 2012.

According to the development plan, Shenzhen Airlines will have over 230 planes by the end of the 13th Five-year Plan in 2020.

London is one of the leading global cities in arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance and tourism.

London also has four World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London; Kew Gardens; the site comprising the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, and St Margaret’s Church; and the historic settlement of Greenwich.