Current location:Worldly Window news portal > opinions
Gatwick Airport aims to win more friends in China
Worldly Window news portal2024-05-08 03:03:19【opinions】0People have gathered around
IntroductionFILE PHOTO: Passengers are seen in a check-in area at Gatwick Airport, in Crawley, Britain, Nov 27,
FILE PHOTO: Passengers are seen in a check-in area at Gatwick Airport, in Crawley, Britain, Nov 27, 2020. [Photo/Agencies]
A senior figure from one of the United Kingdom's busiest airports is flying to China next week with an eye on making major inroads into the country's huge international tourism market.
Stephanie Wear, vice-president of aviation development at London Gatwick Airport, will be at the ITB China trade show in Shanghai from Sept 12-14, making the case for why London's second airport should be the first port of call for visitors from China.
Situated 45 kilometers south of central London, Gatwick served 18.5 million passengers in the first six months of this year, a 41-percent increase on the same period in 2022.
China Eastern Airlines and Air China currently fly to Gatwick, from Beijing and Shanghai, and Wear wants to get the word out that Gatwick is not only open for business, but is a better option than West London rival Heathrow.
"One of the big challenges we face is a lack of awareness — people automatically assume the only way into London is via Heathrow, but that's not true. In fact, we have lots of advantages which make for a better passenger experience," she said. "95 percent of our passengers get through security in less than five minutes, and from our newly-renovated train station, in 30 minutes, you can be at either Victoria or London Bridge, which is proper Central London, unlike Paddington, which Heathrow serves."
According to the Simple Flying website, Gatwick was the ninth-busiest airport in Europe in September, with Heathrow second, and Wear said it wants to build on that.
"We have all the facilities and infrastructure, and a credible growth plan — when you look at that and the growth speed of the Chinese market, Gatwick's a viable option."
China has long been a major target for Gatwick's expansion, and Wear said that as the travel sector continues its post-pandemic recovery, this is something it is keen to develop further.
"As soon as we heard that China was reopening for travel, I think we were the first UK airport to go and speak to Chinese carriers," she said. "We wanted to talk to the right people, make sure they understood the opportunity at Gatwick."
Wear said China has always been a priority market, and that is certainly the case now. That market is based on relationships, which take time to build, so her job is to keep Gatwick at the front of people's minds.
"Every time an airline chooses to fly to you, that's a flight they're choosing not to make to somewhere else, so we want to ensure they keep wanting to put their planes into Gatwick."
Wear will be in Shanghai for four days, and hopes to speak to as many of the major industry players as possible.
"A huge part of the Chinese market is done through tour operators, so my aim is to establish relations with key players and make sure that we build a good business case for Gatwick," she said.
"London is one of the largest travel markets for China in general, so we need to establish where London sits in their individual strategies, and then see how we can fit in Gatwick into those strategies."
Address of this article:http://www.camilleandconfettis.com/news-59d899886.html
Very good!(23831)
Related articles
- Maternal deaths have fallen to pre
- Uber is helping investigators look into account that sent driver to Ohio home where she was killed
- Fans hail new drama miniseries as a 'masterclass in acting' and demand star is given an Emmy
- PGA Championship to return to Kiawah Island in 2031
- Czech Republic's top court rules that surgery is not required to officially change gender
- US reimposes oil sanctions on Venezuela ahead of election
- Rita Ora sets temperatures soaring as she rocks a stylish all
- CJ Abrams' leadoff homer lifts Nationals over Dodgers 2
- Former Starbucks CEO Schultz says company needs to refocus on coffee as sales struggle
- Hush money trial: Trump's lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside Brooklyn bar
Popular articles
- Stars and DeBoer moving on after ousting Cup champ Vegas in tight 7
- Taylor Swift fans wait in line for FIVE hours as star launches pop
- Lockdown lifts at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota after report of a single gunshot
- Hush money trial: Trump's lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside Brooklyn bar
Recommended
Trump's strategist push AI to help conservatives, all you need to know
Britain's contentious plan to send some migrants to Rwanda hits a hurdle in Parliament
Korda chases fifth straight victory to tie LPGA record in Chevron Championship
Tennessee judge wants more information on copyright before ruling on school shooter's writings
How Queen Mary could look to Queen Silvia: King Carl Gustaf and his wife's 47
CJ Abrams' leadoff homer lifts Nationals over Dodgers 2
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley gushes over congratulations from Queen B
Eye on the ball! King Felipe of Spain and King Willem
Links
- China's Experience with Gender Equality Shared at UN
- For a Shared Dream Exhibition Opens in Beijing
- China Launches Women Volunteers' Service Campaign
- National Campaign of Caring for Children in Summer Vacation Launched
- ACWF Enhances Capacity Building for Women's Social Organizations in Western China
- National Campaign on Caring for Children in Winter Vacation Launched
- Shen Yueyue Stresses Promoting High
- Asian Paralympic Committee president declares Hangzhou Asian Para Games closed
- ACWF Volunteers Provide Services to Elderly, Children in Dongcheng District
- China Issues Action Plan to Advance Disability Prevention