Inaugurated the new Milan-Chengdu route: A new bridge between Europe and China
A significant new connection between Italy and China has been inaugurated with the direct flight from Milan Malpensa to Chengdu Tianfu, the city’s modern airport that has been operational since June 2021. The ceremony, held at Milan Malpensa Airport, marked a significant milestone for Air China‘s collaboration with the Milanese hub: this is the fourth direct flight operated by Air China from the Lombard city to China, bringing the weekly connections with Italy, including those from Rome Fiumicino, to 31 frequencies.
Italy is one of China’s main trading partners in the European Union, as well as one of the main tourist destinations for Chinese citizens in Europe. Milan, the capital of Lombardy, is Italy’s most important commercial, industrial, and financial center, as well as one of the most populous, economically advanced, and culturally rich cities in Europe. Chengdu, the main hub of southwest China, is known for its long history, rich culture, and breathtaking landscapes that attract visitors from all over the world. The opening of the new Milan-Chengdu route will make exchanges between China and Italy even easier, strongly promoting economic, cultural, and tourist cooperation between the two countries.
The inaugural flight ceremony was jointly organized by Air China and the SEA Group. Attendees included the Consul General of China in Milan, Liu Kan, SEA Milan Airports represented by CEO Armando Brunini, and Air China’s European General Manager, Ma Guodong, along with other distinguished guests. The flight will be operated with the new wide-body Airbus A350/900 aircraft, which will offer a luxurious and comfortable flying experience, equipped with modern entertainment facilities and high-quality catering services. With three direct flights a week, passengers will have more travel options and even more convenient service.
With this connection, the number of Air China flights increases to 4, confirming the airline as a strategic partner for SEA, Milan Airports. This also reaffirms Malpensa’s strong role as a bridge to Asia, with a growth of 38% of passengers. Overall, as of today, Malpensa’s traffic has increased by 10% compared to 2023, with 20 more destinations and 8 new airlines, totalling 180 destinations, 50 of which are long-haul.
Flight information
Flight Number Itinerary Departure / Arrival Time Frequency
- CA446 Milan MXP – Chengdu TFU 12:45 – 05:45+1 Mon/Wed/Fri*
- CA445 Chengdu TFU – Milan MXP 01:50 – 07:30 Mon/Wed/Fri*
*From September, the Friday flight will be operated on Saturday
The article Inaugurated the new Milan-Chengdu route: A new bridge between Europe and China first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.