Etihad Airways launches five new routes & 28 additional weekly flights
Etihad-1
The routes will be a part of Etihad’s joint venture with China Eastern Airlines, strengthening passenger connectivity between the UAE and China.
Etihad Airways has announced a significant expansion of its mainland China network, launched five new routes and added 28 weekly flights, marking one of the airline’s largest single market increases in recent years.
The expansion will see airline operate services from Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH) to Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Guangzhou (CAN), Chengdu (TFU), Hangzhou (HGH) and Shenzhen (SZX), bringing its total operation in mainland China to 35 weekly flights across six destinations, including its existing daily service to Beijing Daxing (PKX). All services will be operated by Etihad’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, configured with 28 Business and 262 Economy seats.
This increase in capacity reflects the growing strategic importance of the UAE–China corridor, strengthening links across trade, tourism and investment, while positioning Abu Dhabi as a key gateway between China and markets across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America.
All routes will be part of Etihad’s joint venture with China Eastern Airlines, enhancing passenger connectivity between the UAE and China. The joint venture provides coordinated services across key gateways, with China Eastern currently operating routes between Shanghai, Kunming and Xi’an and the UAE.
The expansion is further supported by Etihad’s cargo joint venture with SF Airlines, strengthening air freight connectivity and supporting the movement of goods across key trade corridors between China and global markets.
Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Etihad Airways, said, “The expanded network, made possible by our long-standing partnership with China Eastern, connects unique tourism destinations with burgeoning trading hubs, delivering shared and lasting economic prosperity and value to our people.”
Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said, “By adding five new destinations and increasing frequencies, we are strengthening connectivity across one of the world’s most important economic corridors. This will support growing demand for travel and trade, while creating new opportunities for cargo, business and tourism.”
“At the same time, we are strengthening Abu Dhabi’s role as a key destination and gateway for travel and trade, supporting the emirate’s long-term economic ambitions,” Neves added.
