Turkish Airlines (BIST:THYAO) launched scheduled flights between Istanbul and Chengdu on November 11, making the western Chinese city its fourth destination in mainland China, the carrier said.
Chengdu joins Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou on the Turkish Airlines network. The city of more than 21 million people is a hub for trade, logistics and finance. Multinationals there operate in electronics, automotive, aviation, biotechnology and artificial intelligence. China expected 31mn air passengers over its Golden Week holiday in October.
“China holds a strategically important position among Turkish Airlines’ key markets,” said Murat Seker, chairman of the board and the executive committee at Turkish Airlines.
“With the launch of our flights to Chengdu, one of China’s foremost tourism, technology, and aviation centers, and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, we are further strengthening our flight network in the country,” he said.
The carrier will operate three weekly flights in each direction between Istanbul Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. It will use Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft on the route.
Flight TK226 leaves Istanbul at 02:05 and lands in Chengdu at 15:40 local time. The return flight, TK227, departs Chengdu at 00:45 and arrives in Istanbul at 05:55. The return service started on November 12.
UNESCO recognises Chengdu as a City of Gastronomy. The city is also home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
Launch fares start at $540 for travel between Istanbul and Chengdu.
