[Aviation News] Etihad Airways has announced plans to expand its China network with the addition of five new destinations—Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou, Chengdu Tianfu, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen—alongside an increase of 28 weekly frequencies across its existing Beijing Daxing service.According to the announcement, the Shanghai Pudong route is expected to be launched first on 1 October 2026, while the remaining four destinations are planned to commence services progressively from March 2027. Upon completion of the expansion, the airline’s mainland China network is projected to reach 35 weekly flights across six cities, including its existing daily service to Beijing Daxing.
All new routes are planned to be operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring a standardized widebody configuration of 28 Business Class seats and 262 Economy Class seats, aimed at delivering a consistent long-haul product experience across the network.Leveraging Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) as a global hub, the expanded network is expected to further strengthen connectivity between China and markets across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and North America, enhancing cross-regional passenger and cargo flows.
Overall, the expanded network is expected to significantly improve air connectivity between China and the UAE, reinforcing access to China’s key commercial, manufacturing, and technology hubs. It is also expected to enhance air cargo links between major production and export centers, supporting global supply chain resilience and the continued growth of high-value trade flows.
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