Chengdu Tianfu Airport Unveils Ten Custom Tourism Routes for Long-stay Transfer Passengers Ahead of Summer Travel Peak
According to People’s Network Sichuan channel reports, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport hosted the launch ceremony of its integrated aviation and cultural tourism campaign titled Meet the World via Tianfu on 30 June, as preparations ramp up for the annual summer travel rush. The event brought together more than ten airline operators, eight regional airports across Sichuan, travel platform Tongcheng Travel, and multiple municipal cultural tourism authorities to roll out cross-sector travel initiatives.
Ten curated travel itineraries for transit passengers with layovers exceeding eight hours were formally unveiled at the ceremony. The themed offerings are tailored to distinct visitor groups including family travellers, study tour participants, senior visitors and young adults, covering panda eco-tours, casual urban leisure, cultural heritage excursions, local food tasting, educational exploration, trendy lifestyle trips, Bashu cultural experiences, mountain and lake scenic tours, sports and pop entertainment outings, and intangible cultural heritage visits. The full suite of routes draws together ecological landscapes, ancient towns, leisure resorts, premium retail districts and distinctive local dining, showcasing Chengdu’s natural scenery and profound cultural heritage. New travel perks branded One Ticket for Full Access have been released by Chengdu Eastern New Area and Chongzhou City, allowing holders of flight tickets to secure discounts at local scenic spots and hospitality venues.
The airport has built an extensive global air network to support rising passenger and transit volumes. Up to this point, 76 international and regional air routes have been opened, consisting of 63 passenger services and 13 cargo links; the number of international passenger routes ranks highest across central and western China. The network spans all five continents, with direct flights connecting to major global aviation hubs such as London, Frankfurt, Rome, Milan, Istanbul, Los Angeles, Doha and Singapore. Domestic air services reach 207 cities nationwide, representing the broadest domestic coverage among all airports in the country.
Work to strengthen the airport’s core transit capabilities has advanced steadily throughout the current year. Operators have seized the window of shifting international passenger flows, as transit capacity at key Middle Eastern hubs faces temporary constraints, and leveraged Chengdu’s geographic standing as a vital gateway hub for southwest, western and southern China. Dual intercontinental transit corridors linking North America via Chengdu to South Asia, and Europe via Chengdu to Southeast Asia have been established. The international transit ratio stands above 20 per cent, with transit passengers accounting for over 60 per cent of travellers on key intercontinental routes to Moscow and Rome. European route passenger volumes hit 382,000 people between January and May this year, marking a year-on-year rise of 19.2 per cent.
A dedicated upgrade project to expand international transit support infrastructure will reach completion within the current calendar year. New dedicated international transit lounges, separate baggage entry points and additional security screening lanes will be introduced alongside matching auxiliary facilities, cutting waiting times and streamlining end-to-end transit procedures for international travellers. Additional coordinated promotional packages linking air travel, accommodation and local sightseeing will be rolled out across partner airlines and tourism bureaus over the coming months to maximise uptake of the customised layover travel programmes.
