Sydney has expanded its network of Chinese cities with the start of a new nonstop flight to Chengdu.
On Saturday, Air China’s inaugural Sydney-Chengdu service, operated by Airbus A330-200 configured with 30 business class and 207 economy class seats, touched down.
The aircraft, B-6541, received an Airservices Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) monitor cross as it made its way to the international terminal after landing at a little after 1230 local time, following a 10 and a half hour journey from Chengdu, which is situated in Western China.
Air China general manager for Sydney Jie Rui said the new three times weekly flights from Chengdu – the Star Alliance member’s second biggest hub – reflected the increased demand for travel from China to Australia.
“After our services to Frankfurt and Paris, this new route is Air China’s third intercontinental flight from Chengdu, and is also the first nonstop service between Chengdu and Sydney,” he said in a statement

“With increasing demand from both the business and leisure market, Air China knows the introduction of the direct Sydney to Chengdu service will help support this demand.
“As the first Chinese airline to operate into Australia – and having flown between China and Australia for the last 32 years – Air China has seen firsthand the increasingly strong growth and development of services between our countries.”
Tourism Australia managing director John O’Sullivan said the country’s peak tourism body would work with Air China to help support its Australian services.
Currently, Air China flies from Sydney to Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. It also offers nonstop service from Melbourne to Beijing and Shanghai, with flights to Shenzhen due to start in January 2017.
Sydney Airport has service from six airlines from China – Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines and Xiamen Air – flying to 13 destinations. Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific and Taiwan’s China Airlines also serve Sydney.
Flight Number/Routing |
Days of operation |
Time of departure |
Time of arrival |
|
CA429 Chengdu-Sydney |
Sunday, Tuesday, Friday |
22:55 |
12:35+1 |
|
CA430 Sydney-Chengdu |
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday |
14:35 |
22:35 |
