Etihad Airways to add five China routes in major network expansion
- Apr 13
- 2 min read
RIYADH, April 13 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — Etihad Airways will launch five new routes to mainland China and add 28 weekly flights in one of its largest single-market expansions in recent years, as the Abu Dhabi-based carrier deepens its presence across a key trade and travel corridor.
The expansion will add services from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Shenzhen, raising Etihad’s mainland China operation to 35 weekly flights across six destinations, including its existing daily service to Beijing Daxing.
Etihad said all flights would be operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners configured with 28 business-class seats and 262 economy seats, giving the airline a consistent widebody product across its expanded China network.
The move strengthens links between the United Arab Emirates and China across trade, tourism and investment, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s role as a gateway to markets in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America.
The additional capacity is also expected to support cargo flows between the two countries by improving access to China’s main commercial, industrial and technology centres and strengthening connectivity across major manufacturing and export hubs.
All five routes will be included in Etihad’s joint venture with China Eastern Airlines, expanding coordinated passenger services between the two markets. The airline said the rollout would also be supported by its cargo joint venture with SF Airlines, aimed at reinforcing freight links across key trade corridors.
Etihad Chairman Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa said the expansion reflected the growing strength of ties between the UAE and China, while Chief Executive Antonoaldo Neves described China as a strategically important market and a central pillar of the airline’s network growth.
The airline said the broader network would give travellers across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas greater access to major Chinese business and cultural hubs through Abu Dhabi.
