Turkish Airlines to launch new flights to Chengdu

Turkish Airlines is expanding its presence in mainland China by launching scheduled flights to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, starting November 11, 2026. This marks the airline's fourth destination in mainland China, joining Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

The new route will connect Istanbul to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport with three weekly frequencies. Flights from Istanbul are scheduled for Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, while return flights from Chengdu will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The service will utilize Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

Turkish Airlines CEO Ahmet Olmuştur stated that China is a strategic market and that this new route will strengthen commercial, cultural, and tourism ties between Türkiye and China. Chengdu is highlighted as a major hub for technology, aviation, and trade, as well as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and a destination for giant panda tourism.