Air China’s Chengdu-Milan A350 Flight Takes Off

5 months ago Editor

Air China’s new direct flight from Chengdu to Milan marks a significant expansion, with the inaugural A350 service connecting China’s capital of Sichuan with Italy’s fashion and economic hub.

Air China has inaugurated its new direct flight route from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) to Milan’s Malpensa Airport (MXP). The inaugural flight, CA445, departed Chengdu at 13:50 local time on July 29, 2024, and arrived in Milan at 06:24 local time the same day. The flight was operated by an A350-900 aircraft, registration B-307C, and was fully booked with 279 passengers on board.

The new service, which will run three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, marks a significant addition to Chengdu’s international flight options. Milan, known as Italy’s economic and fashion hub, attracts high-spending travelers, particularly for luxury shopping. Recent data from Jing Daily highlights a resurgence in Chinese tourism to Italy, with Milan leading in luxury sales recovery, reaching 65% of pre-pandemic levels.

Milan Airport has emphasized that this new route reflects the strengthening economic and tourist ties between China and Italy, celebrating the growing connectivity between the two nations.

The introduction of Air China’s direct A350 flight from Chengdu to Milan represents a major boost in global connectivity, linking the capital of Sichuan province with Italy’s leading economic and fashion center. This new route not only expands travel options for passengers but also strengthens economic ties between China and Italy. With Milan being a prime destination for high-spending travelers, particularly those interested in luxury shopping, the flight is expected to facilitate increased travel and commerce between the two regions.

Milan, known for its luxury shopping and high-end fashion, stands to benefit significantly from the new Air China route. According to recent reports, Chinese tourists have a substantial impact on Milan’s luxury market, contributing to a resurgence in sales. The direct flight is poised to further boost Milan’s appeal as a shopping destination, leveraging the strong spending power of Chinese travelers. This influx of high-spending tourists aligns with Milan’s efforts to capture a larger share of the luxury market, which has seen a recovery to 65% of 2019’s sales volume.