IAG Cargo is set to restart scheduled services between London-Heathrow and Beijing and Shanghai beginning 23 April, almost 2 years after it halted operations to China in the midst of a pandemic.

As China reopens its borders to tourists, IAG Cargo will again offer air freight space on a British Airways B787-9 that has been deployed on daily rotations between London-Heathrow and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. I will also offer space on its Beijing service, operated by a British Airways B777-200.

Between January 2020 and the summer of 2021, IAG Cargo operated 700 charters and 160 cargo-only flights to China, with the last cargo-only service between London Heathrow and Shanghai in June 2021, and last cargo-only service to Beijing in July 2021. IAG said it helped transport more than 11,000 tonnes of vital PPE and medical supplies from China during this time.

With the restarted flights to China, the company expects to accommodate shipments like IT equipment, e-commerce and garments on the belly space of its widebody aircraft. Services between London-Heathrow and Beijing Daxing Airport will resume on June 3, with four flights each week, IAG added.