China Flights Update — 16 October 2026
flights • 16 October 2026
Turkish Airlines will launch a new **Istanbul–Chengdu** service on 11 November 2026, operating three times weekly with Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The route will give Australian travellers another one-stop option to Sichuan via Istanbul, with Chengdu becoming the airline’s fourth mainland Chinese destination after Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.[2][9] Etihad Airways is also expanding its China network. After restoring daily Abu Dhabi–Shanghai flights on 1 October, the airline plans to resume Abu Dhabi–Guangzhou services on 4 March 2027 and add flights to Hangzhou, Chengdu and Shenzhen during March 2027. The expansion is scheduled to take Etihad’s mainland China network to 35 weekly flights across six cities.[2][8] Travellers should check the final timetable and minimum connection times before booking, particularly for the new March 2027 services, as seasonal schedules may change. The additional Istanbul and Abu Dhabi options could make Chengdu, Shanghai and other Chinese cities more accessible from Australia through major Middle Eastern and European hubs.Sources
- https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/6241662-china-opens-15-new-intl-air-cargo-routes-in-sept
- https://www.explorechinaholidays.com.au/news/2026-10-14-au-china-flights-update-14-october-2026/
- https://china-panorama.com/en/direct-flights-north-america-china/
- https://www.airportspotting.com/airline-profile-hainan-airlines-fleet-routes-and-what-to-look-out-for/
- https://news.futunn.com/en/post/1001250587/china-southern-airlines-company-limited-01055-reported-a-3-80