Benefiting from China's increased economic development, more Chinese will continue to travel to Britain. This offers great opportunities to the tourism industries of both countries.

"At present, we deliver more than 35 million passengers each year," says Fernando Suarez, General Manager of Greater China and the Philippines for British Airways. "Based on the current 1.8 billion business and leisure travellers per year, we estimate that this number will reach 2.3 billion by the year of 2010. With the galloping growth of Chinese economy and the rapid development of its tourism, coupled with advantages brought by such great events as the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, an estimated 200,000 Chinese will be visiting Britain by 2010. As we and other Star Alliance members provide flights to 677 destinations in 141 countries across the world, undoubtedly, we have become a premier choice for Chinese people who want to travel to London and Britain. "

In the past 26 years, British Airways has been growing with the fast development of China's economy, increasing its number of flights from the original one flight per week between Beijing and London to seven flights per week between the two cities; five flights per week between Shanghai and London; 21 flights per week between Hong Kong and London; and making its total weekly flight number in China reach 33.

At the same time, British Airways' software and hardware facilities have advanced with the times. In 2001, it took a lead introducing a 180-degree bed into its business cabinet. It has also increased air hostesses, Chinese food and Chinese films on the lines between Britain and China, which have been hailed by Chinese customers.