Etihad Airways Expands China Network with New Routes from Abu Dhabi, Boosting Options for Australian Travellers
flights • 27 April 2026
**Etihad Airways Expands China Network with New Routes from Abu Dhabi, Boosting Options for Australian Travellers** Etihad Airways, based in the UAE, is launching five new direct routes from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport to key Chinese cities including Shanghai (Pudong), Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hangzhou, and Shenzhen, adding 28 weekly flights to reach a total of 35 across six destinations. This major expansion, one of the largest in recent years, enhances connectivity to China’s commercial and technological hubs, making multi-stop itineraries from Australia via Abu Dhabi more seamless for travellers heading to vibrant spots like Chengdu’s panda reserves or Hangzhou’s scenic West Lake. According to Emirates News Agency via TV BRICS, these routes build on existing daily Beijing services, opening up efficient travel paths for Aussies exploring southern and eastern China. **VietJet Air Launches Five New Vietnam-China Routes for Easy Regional Access** VietJet Air has introduced five direct routes linking Vietnam and China, including Hanoi–Hangzhou, Hanoi–Enshi, Ho Chi Minh City–Guilin, and Huangshan connections, with Hanoi–Enshi and Ho Chi Minh City–Guilin already operating 1–2 weekly flights since early April and others launching soon. These short-haul links provide Australian travellers with affordable stopover options en route to China’s cultural gems like Guilin’s karst landscapes or Huangshan’s misty peaks, ideal for combining Vietnam beach breaks with inland adventures. China Travel News reports this move strengthens regional air links, offering flexible scheduling for trips from Australian hubs via Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. **Domestic C919 Boost and Upcoming Etihad Long-Haul Flights Enhance In-Country Travel** China Southern Airlines has debuted its C919 jet on the Guangzhou–Hefei route with up to five weekly round-trips during May’s peak season, connecting the Greater Bay Area to the Yangtze River Delta for smoother domestic hops. Meanwhile, Etihad plans daily Shanghai Pudong flights from October 2026 and Guangzhou from March 2027, quadrupling its China capacity. Bastille Post notes the C919’s network now spans 23 cities, while Simple Flying highlights Etihad’s long-haul push—perfect for Australians planning extended stays with easy inter-China flights to business or leisure hotspots.Sources
- https://tvbrics.com/en/news/airline-from-uae-to-launch-28-new-weekly-flights-to-china-with-five-new-destinations/
- https://www.chinatravelnews.com/article/189779/
- https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/shanghai-joins-beijing-adelaide-toronto-guangzhou-and-more-as-china-starts-new-flights-connecting-globally-in-2026/
- https://www.bastillepost.com/global/article/5809854-chinas-c919-aircraft-begins-to-serve-guangzhou-hefei-air-route
- https://simpleflying.com/etihad-goes-all-in-11-new-long-haul-routes-5-days/