DALLAS — Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) has inaugurated a new Air China (CA) connection to the recently-opened Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), operational since June 2021.

The CA Milan-Chengdu nonstop route will be operated by the new wide-body Airbus A350-900 aircraft three times per week. TFU opened in 2021.

This is CA's fourth direct trip from the Lombard city to China, bringing the total number of weekly links with Italy to 31, including those from Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO).

The inaugural flight ceremony was jointly organized by CA and the SEA Group. Attendees at the MXP ceremony included the Consul General of China in Milan, Liu Kan, SEA Milan Airports represented by CEO Armando Brunini, and Air China's European General Manager, Ma Guodong, along with other distinguished guests.

The Italy-China Connection

The new route underlines MXP's role as a bridge to Asia, as passenger numbers increased by 38%. The airport says traffic has increased by 10% since 2023, with 20 more destinations and eight new airlines, bringing the total to 180, 50 of which are long-haul.

Italy is one of China's major commercial partners in the European Union, as well as a popular tourism destination for Chinese citizens in Europe. Milan, Lombardy's capital, is Italy's largest commercial, industrial, and financial center, as well as one of Europe's most populous and well-off cities.

Chengdu, the main center of southwest China, is known for its lengthy history, rich culture, and magnificent landscapes, which draw visitors from all over the world.

The flight numbers, departure and arrival plus frequencies for the new route are as follows:

• CA446 Milan MXP – Chengdu TFU 12:45 – 05:45+1 Mon/Wed/Fri*
• CA445 Chengdu TFU – Milan MXP 01:50 – 07:30 Mon/Wed/Fri*

_{*The Friday flight will be operated on Saturday starting in September}