Carrier expands services between Shanghai and London

China Eastern Airlines Corp Ltd will soon operate direct flights between London Gatwick and Shanghai Pudong international airports.

Britain's second-largest airport said the new long-haul route will create "a new air link between two of the world's most important financial centers".

As well as carrying 70,000 passengers annually when the service launches on Dec 7 this year, it will provide more than 3,700 metric tons of cargo transportation between the two countries each year.