BA's Chief Exec Urges Visa Relaxation as Airline Offers New Routes

British Airways' chief executive has called on the government of the United Kingdom to relax visa requirements for Chinese business and tourist travelers, especially from Northeast China.

Alex Cruz made the call as the airline announced a new codeshare agreement with China Southern Airlines that means BA's customers can use BA's website to book seats on China Southern Airline flights to four destinations in China – Shenyang, Harbin, Changchun, and Dalian.

BA travelers will be able to connect to Shengyang and Harbin via Shanghai while those flying to Dalian will transfer in Beijing and customers headed to Changchun can connect via either Shanghai or Beijing.

British Airways operates 10 flights a week to Shanghai and seven to the Chinese capital, all departing from London Heathrow.