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UK-China air links dwindle as British Airways follows Virgin Atlantic exit

Another international route between China and the UK is being discontinued. On August 9, British Airways announced to Caixin that it will suspend its London-Beijing route starting October 26, 2024, with the suspension expected to last approximately one year, until November 2025. Like other airlines, British Airways has been forced to avoid Russian airspace due to the Ukraine conflict, significantly extending flight times and reducing profitability while increasing costs. This announcement comes less than a month after Virgin Atlantic Airways, the UK’s second-largest airline, revealed it will exit the Chinese market in October. On July 17, Virgin Atlantic announced that its final flight from London to Shanghai will operate on October 25, 2024, with the return flight from Shanghai to London on October 26, 2024.

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