Turkish Airlines officially launched its scheduled flights to Chengdu, one of the leading economic, cultural and technological hubs in western China, on 11 November 2026. Chengdu will become the fourth city in mainland China served by Turkish Airlines, following Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Home to more than 21mn, Chengdu is one of China’s most prominent metropolitan centres. The city serves as a major hub for trade, logistics, and finance, hosting numerous multinational companies operating in strategic industries such as electronics, automotive, aviation, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.
City of gastronomy
Recognized by UNESCO as a ‘City of Gastronomy’, Chengdu attracts millions of visitors every year with its world-renowned Sichuan cuisine, as well as the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, a natural habitat and conversation center for giant pandas.
“With the launch of our flights to Chengdu, one of China’s foremost tourism, technology, and aviation centers, and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, we are further strengthening our flight network in the country. We believe this new route will contribute to the continued growth of commercial, cultural, and tourism ties between Türkiye and China,” explained Prof. Murat Seker, Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Turkish Airlines.
Turkish Airlines will operate three weekly flights on the Istanbul–Chengdu route. The new route will provide a direct connection between Chengdu, Türkiye, and Turkish Airlines’ extensive global network. Flights to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport will be operated using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
