The Chinese flag carrier will operate a four-times-weekly Beijing service starting Saturday (1 April), which will increase to daily from 24 April.

Citing figures from VisitBritain, Gatwick said Chinese visitation to the UK in 2019 generated spend worth nearly £2 billion to the UK economy.

In addition, the airport said the route would support business connectivity with China, with London and Beijing home to nearly 60 Forbes Global 500 companies.

Chinese students, meanwhile, accounted for more than 20% of international students in the UK in 2021/22 (151,690), more than from any other country, according to data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

The return of Air China’s Gatwick-Beijing route, flying to and from Beijing Capital International airport, means Gatwick’s long-haul network will serve nearly 50 destinations this summer.

Stephanie Wear, Gatwick’s vice-president aviation development, said the route was a "vital connection between two of the world’s most influential capital cities".

"China is the world’s second-largest economy, so by offering direct flights between London and Beijing, Gatwick is providing an important service to people and businesses across the south-east," said Wear.

"It is also great news for tourism and hospitality across the region. Chinese visitors are traditionally high spenders so the return of regular flights will help support these sectors, which suffered so badly throughout the pandemic."