All Nippon Airways is to start direct flights between Tokyo and Chengdu, according to Shinichiro Ito, President and CEO of Japan’s largest carrier. Services will start on 20 June, when Chengdu will become the first inland Chinese city to be served by ANA.

“I see enormous potential in Shuangliu airport through the second runway recently going into normalised operation and the second terminal to be completed soon,” said Mr Ito.

ANA is also considering initiating cargo flights to Chengdu.