Air China is the latest airline to contribute to Australia and China’s agreement to double gateway capacity between the two destinations before the end of the year.
This means opening up second and third tier gateways in the Middle Kingdom to Australia.
Late last year, Xiamen Airlines gave Aussies access to the country’s southeast coast with direct Xiamen-Sydney flights, while China Southern opened up Shenzhen to Sydney and mainland China to Adelaide.
Now Air China is giving Sydneysiders access to Chengdu with direct services starting on 12 November.
The route is the carrier’s first non-stop link between western China and Oceania and is expected to bring some 23,000 Chinese visitors to the country per year.
An A330-200 aircraft will operate on the route, offering guests access to Economy with 32-inch seat pitch, while Business Class features 170-degree flat-bed seats and limousine service in Chengdu.
According to Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive, Kerrie Mather, the new route makes Sydney the world’s leading long haul airport for Chinese airlines, with six airlines serving 11 mainland Chinese cities.
“Not only will the new route boost tourism and trade to Sydney, but it will also provide a direct connection for Sydneysiders travelling to Chengdu, which is famous for its giant pandas and spicy Sichuan cuisine.”
Kerrie Mather, Sydney Airport Managing Director and Chief Executive
Tourism Australia Managing Director John O’Sullivan added that Air China’s new Chengdu service highlighted the increasing importance of China’s secondary cities in driving Australia’s tourism growth.
“Many of Australia’s future tourism opportunities within the China market lie in the country’s second tier cities,” he said.
“Securing direct aviation access to cities like Chengdu through new services such as this provides a vital platform upon which to focus our marketing and distribution activities.
“This is great for Sydney and Australian tourism.”