China Eastern Airlines Expands Europe and Central Asia Network
China Eastern Airlines will bolster its international network this summer with three new nonstop services to Istanbul, Almaty and Paris, reinforcing its position in key markets across Europe and Central Asia. Beginning June 30, the Shanghai-based carrier will launch its first-ever route between Xi’an and Istanbul Airport, operating Airbus A330-200 flights three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. As a major aviation hub linking Europe, Asia and Africa, Istanbul offers strategic connectivity that complements China Eastern’s existing daily service from Shanghai Pudong, part of the SkyTeam alliance member’s broader push into Turkey amid improving bilateral ties.
Just days later, on July 2, China Eastern will inaugurate a three-times-weekly Boeing 737-800 service from Shanghai Pudong to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s commercial capital. Flights will depart on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, providing direct access to a city already connected nonstop to eight Chinese destinations. Almaty’s growing role as a regional trade and tourism hub makes it a natural fit for China Eastern’s expansion, filling a gap in Sino-Central Asian connectivity by offering a mainland carrier’s service in addition to existing routes operated by Air Astana, China Southern and other airlines.
The carrier’s third new route will launch on July 9, linking Nanjing Lukou International Airport with Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport on a weekly Wednesday schedule using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. This service will become China Eastern’s second nonstop connection to Paris, joining its popular 12-times-weekly Shanghai Pudong–Paris flights. With no other airline currently operating between Nanjing and Paris, the route opens a unique market for business travelers and tourists seeking direct access to central China’s Yangtze River Delta region and the heart of Europe’s cultural and economic capital.
Earlier this year, China Eastern took advantage of its continued access to Russian airspace—a competitive edge over many Western carriers restricted by sanctions related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict—to announce three additional European routes. Service from Shanghai Pudong to Geneva begins June 16 with four weekly frequencies, followed by daily flights to Milan Malpensa on June 20 using Airbus A350-900s. The summer schedule rounds out with a thrice-weekly Airbus A330-200 service to Copenhagen Kastrup Airport on July 17, leveraging the carrier’s SkyTeam partnership with Scandinavian Airlines and reinforcing its presence in Northern Europe.
By flying over Russia, China Eastern can offer shorter, more fuel-efficient routes to Europe, reducing both flight times and operational costs. In contrast, many European airlines must detour around restricted airspace, lengthening journeys and increasing fuel consumption. This advantage has allowed China Eastern to maintain and expand services to Europe even as other carriers curtail their China operations.
These new services coincide with Xi’an’s preparation to host Routes Asia 2026 from April 14 to 16, showcasing the city’s growing importance in the global aviation network. As the capital of Shaanxi province, Xi’an will welcome airline executives and industry stakeholders to discuss further opportunities for air service development across Asia and beyond.
With the addition of Istanbul, Almaty and Nanjing–Paris flights, China Eastern Airlines is set to offer a more diversified network for both leisure and business travelers. The expanded schedule provides enhanced connectivity for passengers seeking efficient routes between China’s major economic centers and vital international markets, reinforcing China Eastern’s ambition to be a leading carrier on the Europe–Asia and Central Asia–China corridors.
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