Quantcast

Sichuan Airlines launches fifth freedom flights between Istanbul and Athens

Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush
Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System
Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does
Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
Global Airlines & HiFly Operate 1st Passenger Airbus A380 Flight Between Barcelona And Berlin
American Airlines unveils ritzy new plane suites launching this summer
Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th
Gatwick Airport Faces Potential Strikes
50 New Routes Starting In May 2025
Report: JetBlue, United Mulling Partnership
New First-Class Suites, Futuristic Aircraft and the Top Air Travel News From April 2025
Southwest Airlines Announces Reimagined Fare Products, New Benefits for Rapid Rewards Credit Cardmembers and Tier Member Customers
New Alaska Airlines trading cards take flight this World Pilots’ Day - Alaska Airlines News
Sichuan Airlines launches fifth freedom flights between Istanbul and Athens
Policy
Webp sichuan airlines
Sichuan Airlines | Official Website

On June 30, Europe saw the introduction of a new fifth freedom service between Istanbul Airport and Athens, operated by Sichuan Airlines. This marks an expansion for the airline, which is not commonly highlighted on the international stage.

Fifth freedom flights are segments of routes that begin and end in an airline's home country but allow for booking between intermediate stops. These services often involve widebody aircraft and lesser-known carriers, offering potentially affordable tickets.

Sichuan Airlines now connects Chengdu Tianfu to Athens, marking the first time Chengdu has direct flights to Greece. The service operates four times weekly using Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft. The final flight of this seasonal service will be on October 24.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

This new route extends Sichuan Airlines' existing Chengdu-Istanbul service, which resumed in 2023 after a pandemic-related pause. With about nine hours of ground time in Türkiye, extending to Athens is seen as a low-risk expansion strategy. However, it reduces seat availability for local Istanbul passengers despite a limited codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines.

The route from Istanbul to Athens is also served by Aegean Airlines, SKY express, Turkish Airlines from Istanbul Airport, and Pegasus from Sabiha Gökçen. Collectively, these airlines offer up to 12 daily flights in July on this city pair.

Europe hosts few fifth-freedom flights at its airports. Apart from Sichuan Airlines' new service, Emirates operates between Dubai and Newark via Athens. In contrast, Etihad's Abu Dhabi-Athens service via Mykonos and Santorini does not have traffic rights within Greece.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Flying Food Group has highlighted the importance of its Corporate Treasury Team in managing financial resources.

Jul 26, 2025

Etihad Airways is preparing to launch its new Airbus A321LR aircraft, which promises to enhance the narrow-body flying experience.

Jul 26, 2025

Eurowings has been recognized as one of the top airlines in Europe, according to a study by the consumer portal Flightright.

Jul 25, 2025

American Airlines is set to reintroduce its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft for domestic flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this fall.

Jul 25, 2025

Southwest Airlines is in the process of introducing extra-legroom seats across its fleet, with about 25% of its planes now featuring these new rows.

Jul 25, 2025

The Ethiopian Airlines Group recently marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of its expanded Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities.

Jul 25, 2025