A new agreement between the U.K. and Chinese governments will more than double the number of permitted flights between the two countries, a move welcomed by the U.K.’s Gatwick Airport.

The new deal will allow passenger flights to increase from the current maximum of 40 per week for each nation to up to 100, which will help boost tourism and business opportunities for the United Kingdom.

Gatwick Airport was lobbying the U.K. government to allow it to expand, and this year welcomed Tianjin Airlines, the U.K.’s first and still only direct flights to Chongquing (CKG) and Tianjin (TSN). The airport this year also marks the return of Cathay Pacific with flights to Hong Kong (HKG).

“China is one of the U.K.’s most important growth markets and this deal will offer unrivaled opportunities to increase U.K. trade and tourism,” said Stewart Wingate, chief executive, Gatwick Airport. “With Gatwick already operating new and exclusive links to important Chinese growth markets, alongside more than 50 long-haul services, Gatwick is well positioned to further boost links between China and the U.K. thanks to this deal and demonstrate Britain remains well and truly open for business.”