ETIHAD si espande in Cina

[skyrobbie]

EY ha appena annunciato il suo ambizioso piano di espansione in Cina, nonostante il periodo di incertezza dovuto alla crisi in Medio Oriente. La compagnia riprende a volare su Shanghai Pudong e Chengdu Tianfu e lancia altre destinazioni inedite, al momento volo solo su Pechino Daxing ed Hong Kong:

Etihad Airways expands China network & strengthens China Eastern joint venture with five new routes and 28 additional weekly flights
13 April 2026,

Etihad Airways expands China network & strengthens China Eastern joint venture with five new routes and 28 additional weekly flights
Major increase in capacity strengthens air connectivity between the UAE and China
Total mainland China network grows to 35 weekly flights across six key gateways
Expansion supports trade, tourism and cargo flows across one of the world’s most important economic corridors
Builds on Etihad’s joint venture with China Eastern Airlines, strengthening passenger connectivity between the UAE and China
Abu Dhabi, UAE - Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has announced a significant expansion of its mainland China network, launching five new routes and adding 28 weekly flights, marking one of the airline’s largest single market increases in recent years.

The expansion will see Etihad 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, ensuring a consistent widebody product across the expanded China network.

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.

The expanded network will significantly enhance the movement of passengers and goods between the two countries, while increasing access to China’s major commercial, industrial and technology centres. It also strengthens cargo connectivity across critical manufacturing and export hubs, supporting global supply chains and high-value trade flows.

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.

His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Etihad Airways, said: “The ties between the UAE and China continue to flourish, with today’s announcement reflecting the enduring strength and growing promise of our cooperation. 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: “China is a strategically important market for Etihad and a key pillar of our network growth. This expansion represents a significant increase in capacity and a clear signal of our long-term commitment to the market.

“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.”

Each of the five destinations plays a distinct role within China’s economic and cultural landscape, strengthening Etihad’s ability to serve a broad mix of passenger and cargo demand:

Shanghai Pudong (PVG) – global financial centre and a major international cargo hub
Guangzhou (CAN) – a key manufacturing and trade gateway in southern China
Chengdu (TFU) – a fast-growing innovation and technology hub in western China
Hangzhou (HGH) – a leading centre for digital economy and e-commerce
Shenzhen (SZX) – a global technology powerhouse and major export market
The announcement marks a significant broadening of Etihad's presence in China, providing customers across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas greater access to China's major commercial and cultural hubs via Abu Dhabi.

https://www.etihad.com/

[malpensante]

Un bel salto.

[cesare.caldi]

Al momento sono solo voli virtuali da oggi al marzo 2027 quando dovrebbe partire questa espansione Cinese, bisognerà vedere se per allora si sarà risolta la crisi medio orientale e quante frequenze avra' ripristinato nel suo network globale. Io penso che anche se la guerra finisse oggi come per il Covid per tornaere agli opertartivi full di prima della guerra serviranno anni alle medio orientali. Quindi bisogna vedere se e con quali frequenze partiranno queste rotte Cinesi visto che ci saranno molti meno voli in connessione per alimentarli.

[skyrobbie]

Tra l'altro EY con questo programma di espansione supera di netto EK in termini di destinazioni servite su territorio cinese.

[skyrobbie]

EY non si ferma, annuncia anche un ampliamento anche delle destinazioni africane:


Accra, Ghana One of West Africa's most welcoming and energetic capitals, where a thriving arts scene and the buzzing Osu neighbourhood make it an increasingly compelling destination.

Asmara, Eritrea A city frozen in elegant time, Asmara's UNESCO-listed modernist and art deco streetscapes lend it an otherworldly atmosphere quite unlike anywhere else on the continent.

Harare, Zimbabwe A leafy, grid-planned capital at high altitude on the Highveld, where the National Gallery, vibrant Mbare market and a warm-hearted population make it a city of charm and understated sophistication.

Kinshasa, DR Congo A major river city of some 17 million on the banks of the Congo, birthplace of soukous and rumba and home to a cultural scene of extraordinary depth and creativity.

Lubumbashi, DR Congo The copper-rich capital of Haut-Katanga province in the DRC's deep south, shaped by mining wealth, with the Lubumbashi Museum offering one of Central Africa's finest ethnographic collections.

Lagos, Nigeria Africa's largest city, a megapolis of more than 20 million people, where entrepreneurial energy and a globally influential music and food scene define the experience.





https://www.etihad.com/en/news/its-time ... -continent

[malpensante]

Vuole fare concorrenza a Ethiopian.

[skyrobbie]

Le due compagnie hanno già accordi di partnership dallo scorso anno:

https://www.etihad.com/en/news/etihad-a ... artnership

https://www.etihad.com/en/plan/fly-with ... n-airlines