A ceremony marking the resumption of flights between Changsha and London was held at the Changsha Huanghua International Airport Terminal 2 on the morning of April 7th. The direct flight, HU421, from Changsha to London, operated by Hainan Airlines, took off from the Changsha Huanghua International Airport at 15:00 that day and would arrive at the London Heathrow International Airport at 19:30 local time. This is the first intercontinental flight resumed in Hunan after China downgraded management of COVID-19 to Class B, and the only direct flight from central China to the UK.

Hainan Airlines' Changsha-London route was opened in 2018 and then suspended due to COVID-19. During the period of operation, more than 500 flights were operated on this route, serving 70,000 passenger trips. As a result, the route has become a vital air route for passengers between China and the UK.

The resumed Changsha-London route will be serviced by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with three round-trip flights a week -- on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This will speed up the resumption of political, economic, trade, cultural, tourism and talent exchanges between China and the UK.

Hainan Airlines has launched preferential activities for the route. At the beginning of the resumption of the route, the lowest price for the one-way discounted air ticket is 1,000 yuan. The fares do not include tax, and specific prices are subject to the actual final enquiries. In addition, Hainan Airlines also provides passengers with various products, such as optimal seat selection, prepaid baggage, seat upgrade on a plane, and free check-in service for two pieces of luggage for international students, to satisfy passengers' diverse travel needs. Furthermore, Hunan Airport Group will provide passengers transiting in Changsha with free accommodation, free meals and other preferential transfer services to ensure a convenient and comfortable travel experience.