Direct international flights from Sichu

Though an inland city, far from coastal areas, Chengdu is reaching out to the world with an increasing number of international air routes.

Air China will launch a direct route between Chengdu and Sydney on Nov 11, the third intercontinental air route operated by the airline, after it opened the nonstop routes from Chengdu to Frankfurt and Paris.

The direct flight will run three round-trips every week, departing from Chengdu every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, and from Sydney every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

The airline will be operated by Airbus 330-200. A one-way trip takes about 13 hours.

Zhong Dechao, Party chief of Air China’s southwest branch, said Air China have paid special attention to complete their airline network in Chengdu, a key aviation hub in western China.

“I’m confident that the Chengdu-Sydney flight will strengthen Chengdu’s advantage as a regional hub and spread Air China’s Chengdu-based airline networks’ reach to Asia, Europe, and Oceania,” Zhong said.

In order to open up the region and build it into an international metropolis, Chengdu has accelerated its pace in opening international air routes in recent years.

The city launched 10 new international flights last year alone, including eight direct flights to Chiang Mai in Thailand; Nha Trang in Vietnam; Colombo in Sri Lanka; Osaka in Japan; Moscow; Jeju Island in South Korea; Mauritius and Paris, and two connecting flights to Los Angeles and Dubai.

So far, the city has the largest number of international routes in China’s central and western region, with 89 international air routes linking it to 74 international cities in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania and Asia.

Chengdu has become a major hub connecting Central and Western China to Europe, with six non-stop routes linking it to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Moscow, Paris and Prague.

Many of the airlines that run Chengdu routes have increased the number of flights to the c to the good performance of the flights.

British Airways increased its number of

Visitors arrive in Chengdu Francisco. on United Airlines’ first direct flight to the city from San

BAO LIDA / FOR CHINA DAILY Crew of Air China decorate passenger cabin wit local photo at a direct Chengdu-Colombo flight.

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