To better serve Chinese customers, the team is looking at introducing more Mandarin signage throughout the terminal, as well as providing payment options that Chinese passengers are more familiar with, he added.

"I am very confident we will see further developments beyond today's exciting new announcement," he said. "We regularly talk with many airlines in China, and indeed across Asia. Certainly, the information that we hear from them indicates an interest in continuing to put more services into London and Gatwick Airport."

Cao Jiacheng and Lu Sidi, two Chinese passengers taking undergraduate courses in the UK who regularly travel between London and Harbin, the capital city of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, welcomed the return of the route.

They said the service offered smoother and more relaxing flying experiences for them because it meant less travel time when connecting to Harbin upon arrival in Beijing, compared to departing from Shanghai.

Aaron Cole, a British passenger, said the increase in direct services between the two countries should also make ticket prices more affordable for travelers.

"It will make the tickets a lot cheaper," he said. "People can have more available options. So, more people can travel where they want to."