China has ended a ban on direct flights from the UK that was imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and British Embassy in China confirmed direct flights between the UK and China can now resume. Initially, they will be offered by Chinese airlines only.
The FCO states: "Direct flights between the UK and mainland China have resumed, following the earlier ban on direct passenger services imposed by the Chinese authorities during the Covid 19 pandemic. Check with airlines for routes, schedules and ticketing."
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China had indefinitely suspended flights to the UK in late 2020, with the UK under lockdown and reporting high Covid-19 rates. Airlines including British Airways had suspended flights as early as January 2020, two months before the first UK lockdown, when Covid-19 became a major concern in China and the FCO advised against all but essential travel there.
The British Embassy in China tweeted: "The UK Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Administration of China have formally agreed to the resumption of two-way direct passenger scheduled services between the UK and China. This will end the ban on direct passenger services imposed by Chinese authorities during the Covid-19 pandemic."
UK nationals heading to China require visas. All arrivals into must quarantine for at least seven days in a Government approved facility, followed by three more days isolating in their accommodation, regardless of vaccinations.
British Airways has yet to resume flights to China, but UK airlines are working to restore their routes.
The British Embassy in China added: "The initial services are being offered by Chinese airlines. Work is ongoing to resume routes for British airlines."
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