Hainan Airlines is set to launch a new nonstop flight from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) to Vienna Airport (VIE), beginning December 1, 2024. This exciting development will establish the first direct link between the two cities, significantly bolstering air travel connections between China and Austria.
This news comes shortly after China Eastern Airlines was denied traffic rights by Austrian authorities for a similar route from Shanghai. While the reasons behind this denial remain shrouded in uncertainty, it highlights the complex and evolving landscape of international air travel, particularly between China and Europe.
The Chengdu-Vienna route, operating three times a week with Airbus A330-300 aircraft, adds to Hainan’s existing service from Shenzhen to Vienna, which resumed in June 2024 after a hiatus due to COVID-19 disruptions. This expansion brings Hainan Airlines’ total routes to Austria to two, signifying a commitment to growing its presence in this market.
Despite recent restrictions faced by other Chinese airlines, Hainan’s move represents a positive step in rebuilding flight connections between China and Austria. The launch comes against a backdrop of reduced flight connections between the two countries compared to pre-pandemic levels. Currently, the only other direct services include Austrian Airlines’ four weekly flights from Vienna to Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Air China’s six weekly flights from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Vienna, offering a total of about 7,500 weekly seats. This number pales in comparison to the 10,000 weekly seats offered in 2019, highlighting the significant impact of the pandemic on air travel.
The expansion by Hainan Airlines occurs despite the recent blockage of China Eastern’s proposed Shanghai-Vienna route by Austrian officials in July. Austrian authorities cited competitive imbalances, stemming from China Eastern’s access to Russian airspace, which is not available to Western carriers like Austrian Airlines. This situation has contributed to the suspension of several European routes to China, including Virgin Atlantic’s termination of its London-Shanghai flights, British Airways’ pause on the London-Beijing service, both slated for late October, and Lufthansa’s discontinuation of flights from Frankfurt to Beijing.
Hainan Airlines’ new route from Chengdu to Vienna is a positive development that could help to revitalize travel between the two countries. It also sets a strong example for other airlines looking to expand their presence in the Chinese market, particularly in light of the challenges facing the industry. The launch of this route signals a commitment to rebuilding and strengthening air travel connections, paving the way for increased tourism and economic activity between China and Austria.