China Eastern Airlines, a key member of the SkyTeam alliance, is significantly enhancing its connectivity across Europe and Central Asia this summer with the launch of three new international routes. These new services will connect major Chinese cities with Paris, Istanbul, and Almaty, bolstering the airline’s presence in the European and Central Asian markets.

Starting June 30, 2025, China Eastern will launch its first-ever nonstop service between Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, and Istanbul Airport. This addition will operate three times per week, specifically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft. The new route is strategically significant as it not only links Xi’an with Istanbul but also strengthens China Eastern’s footprint in Istanbul, a key aviation hub that connects Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The new Xi’an-Istanbul service is also timely as bilateral ties between China and Turkey have been improving in recent years. The direct connection from Xi’an to Istanbul will allow for easier travel and increased trade and tourism between the two countries. Istanbul is already well-served by China Eastern, with the airline operating daily flights from Shanghai Pudong, which makes this new service an important addition to its network.

Istanbul’s importance as a regional aviation hub is underscored by the fact that it is already linked with multiple cities in China by various carriers. Data from the OAG Schedules Analyser highlights that Turkish Airlines, one of the leading airlines in the region, operates flights from Istanbul to Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai Pudong. Furthermore, China Southern Airlines connects Istanbul with Beijing Daxing, Guangzhou, and Urumqi, while Air China and Sichuan Airlines operate flights from Beijing and Chengdu to Istanbul, respectively. With approximately 26,200 two-way weekly seats available between Istanbul and China, this market has grown by 7% in the last year alone, indicating strong demand and the growing significance of this route.

In addition to the new Xi’an-Istanbul service, China Eastern will also introduce a new route to Almaty, Kazakhstan, starting July 2, 2025. This service will connect Shanghai Pudong with Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city and a growing regional hub for both trade and tourism. The new route will operate three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with flights using the Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Almaty is strategically important to China Eastern as it links the airline to Central Asia, an area that is increasingly important in Sino-Kazakh and broader Sino-Central Asian connectivity. Kazakhstan has long been a significant partner for China, and Almaty plays a key role in facilitating trade and tourism between the two countries. Several other airlines also connect Almaty to China, including Air Astana, which operates flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, and Urumqi. SCAT Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and Loong Air also offer services to and from Almaty, reflecting the city’s growing importance in regional aviation.

Kazakhstan has become a focal point in terms of both business and tourism for many Chinese travelers. The new Shanghai-Almaty route will further cement China Eastern’s commitment to the region, supporting both trade connections and offering enhanced travel options for Chinese tourists visiting Central Asia.

Finally, on July 9, 2025, China Eastern will launch its third new route, connecting Nanjing Lukou International Airport with Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. This route will operate once a week on Wednesdays, using the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. This new service marks China Eastern’s second nonstop connection to Paris, complementing its existing daily Shanghai Pudong-Paris service, which operates 12 times a week.

The Nanjing-Paris route is particularly noteworthy as it serves a market that is currently unserved by direct flights, making it an attractive proposition for both business and leisure travelers. Italian carrier Neos currently operates a route between Milan Malpensa and Nanjing, but there have been no other nonstop connections from Nanjing to major European destinations. With the introduction of this route, China Eastern will significantly improve connectivity between the Yangtze River Delta region of China and Europe, opening up new opportunities for travelers between the two regions.

This new route to Paris comes at a time when China Eastern is also expanding its European network with additional services. Starting June 16, 2025, the airline will begin service between Shanghai Pudong and Geneva, operating four times a week. Additionally, flights to Milan Malpensa will start on June 20, operated daily using Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The third route, to Copenhagen Kastrup Airport, will launch on July 17, with three weekly frequencies operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft. These new services highlight China Eastern’s continued commitment to expanding its network in Europe, offering increased options for travelers and enhancing the airline’s position as a major player in the international air transport market.

A key factor in China Eastern’s ability to expand its network so rapidly is its continued access to Russian airspace, which gives the airline a significant advantage over many Western carriers. Due to the ongoing sanctions related to the Russia-Ukraine war, many European airlines are no longer able to fly over Russian airspace, which has forced them to reroute their flights and increase operational costs. In contrast, Chinese airlines, including China Eastern, have been able to continue using Russian airspace, allowing them to operate shorter, more fuel-efficient routes to Europe. This advantage reduces flight times and operational costs, making China Eastern’s services more competitive.

As the airline prepares to launch these new routes, the city of Xi’an, in particular, is in the spotlight as it prepares to host Routes Asia 2026, a major aviation event that will take place from April 14-16, 2026. This event will bring together key stakeholders from the global aviation industry to discuss the future of air travel in Asia, and Xi’an’s new international connectivity, bolstered by China Eastern’s new service to Istanbul, will only enhance the city’s position as an emerging hub for international air travel.

Conclusion

China Eastern Airlines’ decision to add new services to Paris, Istanbul, and Almaty marks an exciting new chapter in the airline’s ongoing expansion efforts across Europe and Central Asia. These new routes will strengthen the airline’s position in key global markets, improve connectivity between China and Europe, and offer new opportunities for travelers in Central Asia. With its continued access to Russian airspace, China Eastern is well-positioned to maintain its competitive edge in the European and Central Asian aviation markets, offering efficient and cost-effective flights that meet the needs of both business and leisure travelers. As the airline continues to expand its network and provide exceptional service to passengers, China Eastern is set to remain a leader in international aviation.

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