China Flights Update — 19 April 2026
flights • 19 April 2026
**Etihad Airways is launching five new direct routes from Abu Dhabi to key Chinese cities—Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen—adding 28 weekly flights and boosting total services to China to 35 per week.** According to Etihad's official announcement and reports from Aviation Week, these routes operated by Boeing 787-9 aircraft will enhance connectivity for Australian travellers via Abu Dhabi, a major transit hub linking to the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. Daily flights to Shanghai Pudong begin 1 October 2026, followed by daily Guangzhou from 4 March 2027, 5x weekly Hangzhou from the same date, 4x weekly Chengdu from 5 March 2027, and 5x weekly Shenzhen from 7 March 2027. This expansion, part of Etihad's joint venture with China Eastern Airlines, opens up China's vibrant commercial, industrial, and technological hubs, making it easier for Aussies to explore dynamic destinations like tech-savvy Shenzhen or historic Hangzhou near the West Lake. China Daily and CGTN have highlighted similar growth in international aviation as a boon for tourism, with seamless codeshare options via China Eastern's UAE routes from Shanghai, Kunming, and Xi’an. Travellers can book now for flexible itineraries combining China's cultural treasures with regional stopovers. These developments position China as an even more accessible adventure, with improved flight options ideal for multi-city trips during peak seasons.Sources
- https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/etihad-expands-china-network-five-new-mainland-routes
- https://tvbrics.com/en/news/airline-from-uae-to-launch-28-new-weekly-flights-to-china-with-five-new-destinations/
- https://www.etihad.com/en/news/etihad-airways-expands-china-network-strengthens-china-eastern-joint-venture-with-five-new-routes-and-28-additional-weekly-flights
- https://skift.com/2026/04/13/etihad-china-aviation-iran-war/
- https://aeronewsglobal.com/etihad-expands-china-network-with-5-new-routes/