Virgin increases Shanghai flights

Virgin Atlantic will fly daily from London Heathrow to Shanghai, China, later this year.

It currently operates between Heathrow and Shanghai Pudong airport five times a week, but will change to a daily service from 30 October 2005.

Following the Chinese government's decision to make the UK one of its Approved Destination Countries, which allows more Chinese tourists to visit the UK, the airline also plans to start at daily service to Beijing as soon as possible.

It follows British Airways' announcement earlier this week that it plans to start a service between Heathrow and Shanghai in the summer. BA, which already flies to Beijing four times a week from Heathrow, is similarly taking advantage the Chinese government's decision.

Virgin Atlantic chairman Sir Richard Branson said: "China is one of the fastest growing economies of the world and following last week's decision by the government to give the UK Approved Destination Status we are also planning to start daily services to Beijing as soon as possible.

"With China hosting the Olympics in 2008 we believe that there will be a huge demand for passengers who wish to take advantage of competitive fares and the quality of service that Virgin Atlantic offers."

The airline currently operates a daily service between London Heathrow and Hong Kong and has recently launched daily services between Hong Kong and Sydney, Australia.