Abu Dhabi's Etihad and China Eastern...

Airlines to develop routes between the UAE and China and align loyalty programmes

The UAE’s national airline, Etihad Airways, and China Eastern Airlines have launched a joint venture to develop and grow routes between the UAE and China and align loyalty programmes.

Marking the first commercial joint venture of its kind between a Middle Eastern airline and a Chinese airline, the historic agreement was first agreed in June 2024, but has now been made official following regulatory clearances.

As well as benefiting from enhanced travel options between major cities in China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an and Kumming, and in the UAE, passengers can earn points and redeem rewards when flying with either airline from 1 June 2025.

China Eastern’s inaugural flight from Shanghai to the UAE landed in Abu Dhabi on 28 April 2025, and the service will now operate four weekly flights (on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays) before going daily from 12 September 2025.

"The official launch of our Joint Venture with China Eastern is a major leap forward, not just for our two airlines, but for the future of both the UAE and China,” said Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways.

“By combining our networks and aligning our loyalty programmes, we’re not only expanding choice and connectivity for our guests, but also setting the foundation for a new era of cooperation, innovation, and shared success across our markets."

Future bilateral agreements could include codeshare flights and joint marketing initiatives.

Abu Dhabi, home to Etihad, welcomed 1.4 million overnight guests in the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 4% on the same period last year, which was also a record, with China being one of the best performing source markets, according to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).

Also increasing its connectivity to mainland China, Dubai-based airline Emirates recently added fifth destination, Shenzhen, to its network, becoming the first airline in the Middle East to operate a daily service to China's tech hub. The move gives the airline the largest network in East Asia for any non-Asian airline, with 269 weekly flights to 24 destinations.

For more information, visit www.etihad.com

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