news

Sichuan Airlines resumes flights to iGA Istanbul Airport

1
SHARES

China-based airline company, Sichuan Airlines, has resumed flights to Istanbul after a three-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sichuan Airlines iGA Istanbul

iGA Istanbul launches routes to China following a three-year hiatus. CREDIT: iGA ISTANBUL

China-based airline company, Sichuan Airlines, has resumed flights to Istanbul after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sichuan Airlines flight will depart from Chengdu in China, and was celebrated at iGA Istanbul Airport. The ceremony was attended by Wei Xiaodong, Chinese General Consul in Istanbul, General Manager of Sichuan Airlines, and Turgay Yaman, Corporate Relations Director of iGA Istanbul Airport.

Sichuan Airlines, one of the leading airline companies based in Chengdu, China, has resumed flights to Istanbul, which were paused during the pandemic period. The first flight to iGA Istanbul Airport took place on Wednesday 21 June 2023. It was announced that Sichuan Airlines’ Chengdu-Istanbul flights would operate twice a week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, using Airbus A330-200/A330-300-type aircraft.

The aircraft, which took off from the city of Chengdu in the province of Sichuan, was greeted with a ceremony at iGA Istanbul Airport. In addition to the iGA executives, the event was attended by Wei Xiaodong, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Istanbul, Wu Jian, Chinese Deputy Consul General, Meng Fanwei, Economic and Trade Advisor of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Istanbul, and Cheng Xiaobo, General Manager of Sichuan Airlines.

Join us live: Shaping the Next Generation of Hold Baggage and Air Cargo Screening

Join us live for an insightful webinar on 11th December at 14:00 GMT, in collaboration with Smiths Detection, as we explore the strategic balance of operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and sustainability in high-volume security environments.

This session offers a focused look into future-proofing your security strategy.

Key learning points

  • Cost Reduction: Strategies to minimize bag travel time while simultaneously reducing operational costs.
  • Regulatory Roadmap: Insights into the next wave of regulatory changes and their impact on future investment decisions.
  • Sustainable Systems: Practical approaches to building sustainability into security systems and lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO).
  • Scalable Solutions: Real-world examples of scalable systems supporting current airport growth and preparing for tomorrow.

Register now for expert insights, case studies, and actionable strategies on operational efficiency!

Speaking at the event, iGA Istanbul Airport’s Corporate Relations Director, Turgay Yaman, said, “The Chengdu-Istanbul flights resumed following the recent opening of the Chengdu Consulate General, the fifth diplomatic representation of the Republic of Türkiye in China, and will contribute to taking the close cooperation between the two countries to even greater levels.”

The 91st airline to fly into iGA Istanbul Airport

Among iGA Istanbul Airport’s goals for 2023, is to increase the number of airlines operating at the airport to 100. With Sichuan Airlines becoming the 11th airline to start flights to iGA Istanbul Airport in 2023, the total number of airline companies hosted by iGA Istanbul Airport has now reached 91. As of 21 June 2023, the number of airlines operating between China and Türkiye has increased to two.

 

Register today

 

The International Airport Summit is open for registration!

Date: 19 – 20 November 2025 

Location: JW Marriott Hotel Berlin

At our flagship event of the year, we will dive into the future of airport operations, with expert-led sessions on passenger experience, innovative smart technologies, baggage handling, airside operations, data, security, and sustainability.

This is where global airport leaders come together to share insights, challenges, and real-world solutions. 

Limited complimentary passes are available for eligible professionals – first come, first served!

Share via
Share via
Send this to a friend