Airport a gateway to economies of Asian countries

WHEN we look at the countries expected to see the biggest growth in GDP over the next decade, many are in Asia.

By Colin Matthews, chief executive of Heathrow Advertising feature

Published 11th Feb 2013, 13:16 BST

That’s why it’s vital the UK is directly connected to as many of them as possible.

Heathrow currently offers ﬂights to 21 destinations in Asia not served by any other uK airport so there’s no doubt heathrow is the UK’s gateway to these economies.

However, there are more destinations in Asia that the UK should be connected to but isn’t.

Unless we act, these cities will be connected solely to our European competitors – which would mean the trade, jobs and economic

growth that come with these links go abroad instead.

• Heathrow offers 18 daily ﬂights to Asia

• Heathrow currently offers ﬂights to 21 destinations in Asia not served by any other UK airport

• Currently, there are ﬁve destinations in Asia served daily from other European hubs, but not served daily from Heathrow

• Currently there are four direct ﬂights to China from Heathrow and eight direct ﬂights from other European hubs.