Air China Expands Italian Network with New Chengdu-Milan Service

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Air China is enhancing its European presence with the launch of a new long-haul route to Milan, further solidifying its connections between China and Italy.

The airline will commence operations between Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) in southwest China and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) starting July 29. Operating three times per week, the service will utilize Airbus A350-900 aircraft, marking Air China’s fourth route to Milan and sixth to Italy overall.

Prior to the pandemic, Air China offered two routes to Milan from Beijing Capital (PEK) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG). Operations gradually resumed post-pandemic, with Beijing flights restarting in October 2021, followed by a new route from Wenzhou in November 2022, and Shanghai reinstated in March 2023.

Data from OAG Schedules Analyser reveals that Air China plans to offer approximately 12,700 weekly seats between Chengdu and Milan, a significant increase from the pre-pandemic level of 8,700. This expansion underscores Air China’s commitment to bolstering its Milan network and increasing connectivity between China and Europe.

Milan Malpensa Airport will benefit from this new route by becoming the eighth gateway to mainland China, complementing Air China’s existing services and those offered by other carriers like Hainan Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, and Neos.

In addition to the Milan route, Air China has recently expanded its European network with new services to Madrid via Havana, resumed flights to London Gatwick from Beijing, and announced upcoming routes to Riyadh and Dhaka. The airline continues to strengthen its global footprint, including partnerships for enhanced customer experiences at key international terminals like New York John F. Kennedy International Airport’s new Terminal One, slated to open in 2026.

Air China’s expansion into Milan underscores its strategic growth in Europe, aiming to meet increasing travel demand and further solidify its position as a leading carrier between China and Italy.

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