China Southern Airlines will become the latest major carrier to join Stansted Airport’s global cargo network when it begins a new service between Guangzhou and London this weekend. The airline’s cargo business will launch a twice weekly link on June 20, 2015, increasing to three times weekly later in the year, the only direct freighter link between the UK and China and the London airport’s first scheduled cargo link to Guangzhou.

According to Andrew Harrison, London Stansted Airport’s managing director, the new route will give the UK and businesses in the eastern region in particular, new direct access to Chinese markets and its launch represents the culmination of several years of working with the airline and their partners to deliver the new service.

“We are delighted China Southern Cargo has selected Stansted as the base for its new UK service. It clearly demonstrates the returning confidence in trade between the two countries and is great news for businesses across UK, and in particular the eastern region looking to access the Chinese market,” he added

More than 230,000 tonnes of freight is shipped annually on more than 11,000 cargo flights to over 200 countries from Stansted. It is the busiest airport for all-freighter traffic among the London airports and transports thousands of tonnes of textiles, fruit and vegetables, electronics, pharmaceuticals, mail, horses and Formula One equipment to destinations in nearly every continent.

“It is an important milestone for China Southern cargo to launch this new freighter service from our hub in Guangzhou, China, to Stansted. We are excited by entering this growing market, with an aim to serve customer needs and strengthen the economic ties between our two countries. By working closely with Stansted Airport and our business partners, we have the confidence to make this operation a great success,” said Zhao Fengsheng, senior vice president cargo, China Southern Airlines.