Hainan Airlines flight from Chengdu lands in Vienna for the first time: Three direct flights per week now link Vienna and Sichuan Province

 

More flight connections now exist between China and Austria: Hainan Airlines is offering flights to connect Vienna Airport with Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan, effective immediately. For the first time, it will be possible to directly access this Chinese region from Vienna. In addition to Shenzhen, Hainan Airlines is now also offering flights from Vienna Airport to a second destination in China. Flights on the Chengdu-Vienna route are operated three times per week throughout the entire year. The new flight connection was officially inaugurated today by Qi Mei, Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China in Austria, Zhuo Zhang, General Manager Austria of Hainan Airlines and Julian Jäger, Joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport, within the context of a photo session.

“This is an important milestone for Vienna Airport. Together with Hainan Airlines, we are expanding our route network to China and thus our good partnership. For the first time in the airport’s history, Sichuan Province in China and its capital of Chengdu can be reached directly from Vienna thanks to the new flight connection. Chengdu is located in a dynamic economic region and offers a rich cultural heritage and cuisine. The new flight offering emphasizes the role of Vienna Airport as an important bridge between Europe and Aasia. We are very pleased to be able to officially commence flight service on the Chengdu-Vienna route together with Hainan Airlines,” states Julian Jäger, Joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport.

 

“Today, we are very glad to launch Hainan Airlines second direct flight from Vienna to China. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who ever makes his effort to this now route. Today is another significant milestone in enhancing connectivity between Austria and China, bringing our cultures, economies, and people closer together” states Zhuo Zhang, General Manager Austria of Hainan Airlines.

 

Chengdu: City of pandas in Southwestern China with about 20 million inhabitants

Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, is famous for its rich cultural heritage, fascinating history and world-renowned Sichuan cuisine. About 80 million people live in Sichuan Province, of whom approx. 20 million reside in Chengdu. The city is also the gateway to the homeland of the famous pandas, which are protected and bred in the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The important economic centre of Chengdu is seen as the technological hub of Western China, especially in the fields of electronics, IT, and biotechnology. Numerous international companies have set up operations in the city, which serves as an important junction in China’s “Belt and Road Initiative.” Moreover, Chengdu is the starting point for trips to the impressive Tibetan Highlands and to the renowned Leshan Giant Buddha, a monumental statue from the 8th century.

 

Three weekly flights from Vienna to Chengdu

Hainan Airlines will operate three weekly flights (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Sundays) connecting Vienna and Chengdu as of 1 December 2024. The aircraft will take off from Chengdu at 2:45 a.m. local time and arrive in Vienna at 6:05 a.m. The return flight will depart from Vienna at 12:30 p.m. and arrive in Chengdu at 5:10 a.m. on the following day.

Tags:Zhuo Zhang, Hainan Airlines, Julian Jäger, Joint Vienna Airport.