Prime Highlights
- CEO Neves described the expansion as a clear signal of Etihad’s long-term commitment to China and Abu Dhabi’s role as a key global gateway.
- The five new routes bring Etihad’s mainland China network to 35 weekly flights, one of its largest single market increases in recent years.
Key Facts
- Etihad Airways is the UAE’s national carrier, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, connecting global markets through Zayed International Airport.
- All new routes operate under Etihad’s existing joint venture with China Eastern Airlines, coordinating services across key UAE-China gateways
Background
Etihad Airways has announced a major expansion of its mainland China network, adding five new routes and 28 weekly flights in one of the airline’s largest single market increases in recent years. The new services connect Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Shenzhen.
The expansion brings Etihad’s total China operation to 35 weekly flights across six destinations, including its existing daily service to Beijing Daxing. All routes will be operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, configured with 28 business class and 262 economy seats.
Etihad’s chief executive, Antonoaldo Neves, described China as a strategically important market and a key pillar of the airline’s network growth. He said the expansion signals a long-term commitment to the market and strengthens connectivity across one of the world’s most important economic corridors, supporting travel, trade, cargo and tourism demand.
Chairman Mohamed Al Shorafa said the expanded network, built on the airline’s long-standing partnership with China Eastern Airlines, connects tourism destinations with major trading hubs and delivers lasting economic value.
All five new routes form part of Etihad’s joint venture with China Eastern, which currently operates services between Shanghai, Kunming and Xi’an and the UAE. The expansion of the project receives additional support through the establishment of a freight partnership with SF Airlines, which enhances logistics operations between important trade routes.
The five new destinations each serve a distinct economic role, which includes financial operations and manufacturing activities, technological development, e-commerce operations and export activities, enabling Etihad to extend its services throughout China’s main business and cultural hubs.
