Sichuan Airlines, Starlux Airlines, and Royal Jordanian Launch New Intercontinental Routes

Several airlines, including Sichuan Airlines, Starlux Airlines, and Royal Jordanian, are set to expand their intercontinental networks in the coming months, strengthening connectivity between the Asia-Pacific region and key destinations in Europe and the U.S.. These new services reflect the growing demand for long-haul travel and offer exciting opportunities for travelers in both regions.

Sichuan Airlines Expands to Madrid

Sichuan Airlines is expanding its European network with the launch of a new nonstop route between Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and Madrid Adolfo Suárez-Barajas Airport, beginning April 27, 2025. The service will operate four times per week, making it the only direct link between the Chinese city of Chengdu and the Spanish capital. This new route adds to Sichuan Airlines’ existing European services, including flights to Istanbul, Rome, Moscow, and St. Petersburg.

Madrid is already well-connected to China, with nonstop flights from Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Chongqing. The new Chengdu-Madrid route is expected to further enhance trade and tourism between China and Spain. According to Sabre Market Intelligence, Madrid-Chengdu ranked as the 10th-largest Madrid-China city pair in 2024, with approximately 5,300 two-way passengers. This route reflects a broader trend of Chinese carriers expanding their presence in Europe, while many European airlines scale back their operations to China.

Starlux Airlines Expands Taiwan-U.S. Network with New Ontario Route

Starlux Airlines is continuing its expansion in the Taiwan-U.S. market with the introduction of a nonstop flight between Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Ontario International Airport (ONT). The service, set to begin June 2, 2025, will operate four times per week and will be the second direct connection between Taiwan and Southern California. Starlux will deploy a 306-seat Airbus A350-900 on this route, offering a four-class configuration.

This new service positions Starlux Airlines as a major player in the Southern California market, joining China Airlines, which also serves the TPE-ONT route. The decision to fly into Ontario International Airport is driven by the growing demand from the Taiwanese-American community in Southern California, which includes over 260,000 Taiwanese Americans. While the TPE-LAX route remains the busiest Taiwan-U.S. city pair, Starlux’s expansion to Ontario caters to the local community’s needs and strengthens Taiwan-U.S. connectivity.

Royal Jordanian and Regional Expansion

Royal Jordanian, the flagship carrier of Jordan, is also increasing its network with new long-haul routes. The airline continues to strengthen connections between the Middle East and key global markets, further solidifying its role in the Asia-Pacific to Europe and U.S. corridors. Royal Jordanian’s expansion includes more frequent services and new routes, catering to both business and leisure travelers.

Conclusion

These new services launched by Sichuan Airlines, Starlux Airlines, and Royal Jordanian demonstrate the growing interconnectivity between the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and the U.S. As these airlines expand their global footprint, travelers can expect increased competition and more flight options, helping to stimulate economic growth, tourism, and business opportunities across these regions. For more updates on these routes, visit the official airline websites and government sources for the latest information.

Image: Royal Jordanian

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