Originally launched in summer 2019, the route has been on a break due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has decided to allow flights from China to Finland not only from Shanghai, but also from Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.
“We are very happy that Sichuan Airlines in returning to Helsinki Airport. The reopening of the route is an important step towards the recovery of Chinese air travel from the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Petri Vuori, Finavia’s Senior Vice President responsible for route development.
The route is operated by Airbus A330 aircraft once a week on Fridays. During weeks 29–31, the arrival time in Helsinki Airport will be 4 a.m. local time and the flight to Chengdu will leave at 6 a.m.
The schedule will change on 19 August 2022, after which the flight will arrive in Helsinki Airport at 9:50 p.m. local time and leave for Chengdu at 11:20 p.m.
Previously, the route ran from Chengdu to Copenhagen via Helsinki Airport. Now the route runs directly between Helsinki Airport and Chengdu.