Sichuan Airlines

Sichuan Airlines expanding network from Chengdu with Australia, Europe & North America routes

Sichuan Airlines is joining the growing list of second-tier Chinese carriers which are setting their sights on the long-haul international market. Sichuan Airlines general manager Li Haiying, as quoted by Carnoc.com this month, stated the carrier’s international network expansion would take off next year, supported by the carrier’s A330-200 fleet, leased from AerCap.

Sichuan Airlines commenced international services in 2007 and now operates a network of nine Southeast Asian destinations. Destinations in its network include Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Phuket, Saipan, Seoul Incheon, Taichung, Tapei Songshan and Taipei Taoyuan. The carrier operates only within Asia at present, with around 11,600 seats deployed on these services per week. It plans to expand this network profile considerably to include destinations in Europe, North America and Australia.

Sichuan Airlines to continue impressive growth trajectory supported by A320 and C919 acquisitions

Chengdu-based Sichuan Airlines, China’s seventh largest airline, like many of its ambitious peers, will continue its impressive growth trajectory in the coming years. It plans to expand its fleet to 100 aircraft and grow its assets and revenues to CNY10 billion (USD1.57 billion) by the end of 2015. 

Sichuan Airlines, an affiliate of China Southern Airlines, is adding 13 Airbus aircraft in 2011, and has 18 more A320s scheduled for delivery from Airbus through 2014. The carrier also signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for eight additional aircraft, comprising two A319s, four A320s and two A321s on 29-Nov-2011, adding to its fleet total. Four aircraft will be delivered in 2014 and the remaining four will be delivered in 2015, according to Carnoc reports.

China's fourth largest aviation hub: Chengdu sets a five-year target to take the title

A fascinating battle is emerging between airports serving the inland powerhouse Chinese cities of Chengdu, Xi'an, Chongqing, Wuhan and Kunming for the role as the nation’s fourth largest aviation hub (after Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou). Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CDIA) has recently made its ambitions clear: over the next five years (the 12th Five Year Plan period) it aims to be the airport that meets the growing aviation needs of the massive western region of China. In coming months, CAPA will review the progress and ambitions of Chengdu's rivals in Western China.