Air China boosts long-haul network
Air China is continuing the expansion of its long-haul network with the launch of flights between Chengdu and Frankfurt.
Commencing on 19 May 2013, China’s national carrier will connect the Sichuan state capital with Germany’s financial capital three times a week, with Airbus A330-200 services departing every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
The latest launch follows Air China’s recent announcements of two new long-haul routes from Beijing. On 7 May 2013, the airline will commence a new direct route to Geneva, and then on 11 June 2013, it will launch services to Houston – its fourth gateway in the USA.
In addition, Air China has revealed that from 31 March 2013 it will ramp up its Beijing-New York (JFK) flight from daily to 11 per week, all using the airline’s brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which features eight first class suites, 41 flatbed seats in business class and 259 economy class seats, all fitted with individual seatback screens. The new services will operate every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
The new Frankfurt connection marks the second major new route announced for Chengdu’s Shuangliu International Airport in recent weeks. In December, British Airways unveiled plans to launch direct flights between London and Chengdu from September 2013.