Air China has become the latest long-haul airline to announce flights from London Gatwick airport.
The news come shortly after Gatwick's CEO Stewart Wingate outlined the airport's plans for growth, which include a strong focus on routes to the Far East.
The airline will start a four-times weekly service to Beijing on May 1 using an A330-200 aircraft.
Flights will depart Beijing on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 0135. From Gatwick, flights will leave on the same day at 1315.
Air China already serves London Heathrow daily from Beijing, with Virgin Atlantic codesharing on the route. BA also serves Beijing from Heathrow.
The move makes Air China the latest in a raft of long-haul carriers to announce routes from Gatwick airport, since the facility was purchased from BAA by Global Infrastructure Partners.
In October, Gatwick gained a new route to Kuala Lumpur with Air Asia X, while Vietnam Airlinesis set to launch flights to Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi later this week.
Hong Kong Airlines and Korean Air will commence flights to Hong Kong and Seoul respectively in 2012.