China Eastern has received authorization from the Chinese aviation authority (CAAC) to operate the route between Shanghai Pudong (PVG) and the Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). The service will consist of two flights per week, with a stopover in Madrid Barajas (MAD).
According to Aeroroutes, the approval from the regulator for a series of routes, including the one connecting Argentina and China, was published in the update on October 10.
The introduction of China Eastern Airlines to Buenos Aires, which could become a reality between 2024 and 2027, would represent a historic advancement in terms of connectivity for Argentina, marking the return of an airline from the Far East to the South American country after more than a decade, when Malaysia Airlines operated flights twice a week to Buenos Aires via Cape Town, South Africa.
China Eastern Airlines Shows Buenos Aires as First South American Destination in Expansion Plan
Since the beginning of the year, Chinese media have closely followed China Eastern amid speculation about an expansion plan to attract inbound and outbound travelers to China.
The tentative operation – subject to approvals – would be as follows:
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- Shanghai-Madrid flight MU 265 PVG 00:35 – 20:30 MAD / Mondays and Thursdays.
- Madrid-Buenos Aires flight MU 265 MAD 23:00 – 07:30 (+1) EZE / Mondays and Thursdays.
- Buenos Aires-Madrid flight MU 266 EZE 10:00 – 01:50 (+1) MAD / Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Madrid-Shanghai flight MU 266 MAD 02:20 – 21:10 PVG / Tuesdays and Fridays.
The fifth freedom agreement will allow China Eastern to sell the Buenos Aires – Madrid segment, making it another alternative for flights to Europe.
