Air China intends to begin service between Wenzhou Longwan International (WNZ) and Milan Malpensa (MXP) on November 28.
The airline currently operates two routes to Italy: one weekly flight from Milan to Beijing Capital and a twice-weekly flight from Hangzhou to Rome Fiumicino.
Beijing-Milan is currently nonstop on the outbound leg and via Shenyang on the return, whereas Hangzhou-Rome is nonstop both ways and resumed in October after being suspended in February 2020.
Wenzhou currently has one direct route to Europe, thanks to China Eastern’s October addition of a route to Rome Fiumicino.
Meanwhile, Neos Air serves Nanjing (NKG) and Tianjin (TSN), in addition to Air China’s Beijing service, from Milan Malpensa.
The launch of Wenzhou-Milan coincides with the resumption of Air China flights between Chongqing and Budapest.
“Chongqing is an important economic and strategic destination for us as a key hub in Western China,” Budapest airline development director Balázs Bogáts said.
“Air China’s second route launch of the year more than proves the return of high demand in this growing market, and it will enable us to support Budapest’s large Chinese community, which will now have more options for visiting friends and family.”
In July, Air China resumed its Beijing Capital-Budapest route, with the return leg via Tianjin. The airline currently serves 11 European destinations, the majority of which are only served once a week due to China’s COVID-19 travel restrictions.