Etihad Airways Adds Five New Routes, 28 Weekly Flights to China
Etihad Airways has announced a significant expansion of its flight network to mainland China, introducing five new destinations and increasing capacity by 28 weekly flights. The airline will now operate 35 weekly flights across six Chinese cities from its base at Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport. The newly added routes connect Abu Dhabi to Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen. These services will join the existing daily flight to Beijing Daxing. All flights will be operated using Etihad’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, configured with 28 business class and 262 economy seats. This ensures a consistent and modern widebody product across the expanded China network. The expansion corresponds with the growing strategic importance of the UAE-China corridor for trade, tourism, and investment flows. The extended network will enhance the movement of passengers and freight, linking China’s major commercial, industrial, and technology centers with Abu Dhabi. This connectivity supports global supply chains, especially via key manufacturing and export hubs, facilitating high-value trade. The expansion is also part of Etihad's joint venture with China Eastern Airlines, which coordinates services on key routes between the UAE and China. In addition, Etihad’s cargo joint venture with SF Airlines strengthens freight transportation capabilities along critical trade corridors between China and international markets. Leadership from Etihad emphasized that this network growth underlines the enduring partnership between the UAE and China, broadening access to diverse tourism destinations and economic centers. The five new destinations each represent important segments of China’s economy: Shanghai Pudong as a financial and cargo hub; Guangzhou as a manufacturing gateway; Chengdu as an innovation center; Hangzhou focusing on digital economy and e-commerce; and Shenzhen as a global technology and export powerhouse. This expansion cements Abu Dhabi's role as a regional hub connecting passengers and goods between China and the broader Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America.
