Etihad Airways to launch 5 new China routes

Etihad Airways is expanding its mainland China network with the launch of five new routes, adding 28 weekly flights in one of its largest single-market capacity increases in recent years.

 

The move will see the UAE-based carrier operate services from Zayed International Airport (AUH) to five major Chinese cities: Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou and Shenzhen. This will bring Etihad’s total mainland China network to 35 weekly flights across six destinations, including its existing daily service to Beijing.

 

Flights to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) will launch first on 1 October 2026 with daily service. 

 

A wider rollout will follow in March 2027, with services to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) and Hangzhou International Airport (HGH) starting on 4 March, operating seven and five times a week, respectively.

 

Meanwhile, flights to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) will begin on 5 March with four services a week, followed by Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) on 7 March with five flights a week. 

 

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All routes will be operated by the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, featuring 28 Business and 262 Economy seats. 

 

The new services will be part of Etihad’s joint venture with China Eastern Airlines, enabling onward domestic connections via key gateways including Shanghai, Kunming and Xi’an.

 

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “This will support growing demand for travel and trade, while creating new opportunities for cargo, business and tourism.”

 

Etihad continues to expand its global network in 2026 with multiple new route launches, including first-time services to Mallorca, Luxembourg and Calgary. The airline recently relaunched seasonal flights to Dhaka, Bangladesh, operating from 26 June to 24 October 2026, following a three-year hiatus. 

 

For more information, visit etihad.com