Shanghai-Paris is a key route within the "Belt and Road" network. Since its launch in 1998, China Eastern Airlines has been operating on the Shanghai-Paris route for 25 years. China Eastern Airlines has established its European headquarters in Paris, with several sales locations to provide services to passengers.
The direct Shanghai-Madrid flight was inaugurated in 2016, creating a Eurasian air silk road. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain. China Eastern Airlines' Shanghai-Madrid route will be an airlift that will foster tourism and trade between the two countries, as well as promote Chinese and Spanish cultures. China Eastern's goals are to promote bilateral friendly cooperation in the areas of politics, economy and trade, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and to provide passengers with more convenient, efficient and high-quality travel experiences.
At the 79th Annual General Assembly of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) held in early June, Director-General Willie Walsh said international passenger air traffic recovered more than 90% compared to 2019. As the market recovers, China Eastern Airlines will invest more capacity in Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe, Oceania and other international routes in mid and late June.
Headquartered in Shanghai, China Eastern Airlines Co., Ltd. (CEA) is one of the three major airlines in China and could be traced back to the first squadron established in Shanghai in January 1957, and is the first Chinese airline to be listed on New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai stock markets.
As a member of SkyTeam Alliance, CEA has extended its flight network to 1,036 destinations in 170 countries and regions via close cooperation with SkyTeam Alliance member airlines. The annual passenger turnover of CEA exceeds more than 130 million, ranking top 10 among global airlines. Eastern Miles members can enjoy the membership rights of SkyTeam's 19 member airlines and more than 790 airport VIP lounges worldwide.
CEA operates a modern fleet of over 730 aircraft, which is one of the youngest fleets in major airlines worldwide. Moreover, it boasts the largest-scale in-flight Wi-Fi wide-bodied fleet with leading commercial and technical models in China.