China Eastern Airlines Launches Direct Shanghai-Tbilisi Route on July 15

flights • 2 May 2026

**China Eastern Airlines Launches Direct Shanghai-Tbilisi Route on July 15** China Eastern Airlines will introduce direct flights between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Tbilisi, Georgia's capital, starting July 15, 2026, marking the airline's first route to Georgia. According to China Daily, services will operate every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with departures from Shanghai and returns from Tbilisi on the same day, enhancing Eurasian connectivity for tourism and cultural exchanges. Tickets are now available via the airline's website and app, offering Australian travellers convenient access to Georgia's ancient sites before onward journeys into China. This new route complements China Eastern's expanding European network, including a recently launched Vienna-Xi'an service with three weekly flights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, as reported by Business Wire. Xi'an, home to the Terracotta Army, now connects to 16 international destinations, providing seamless transfers for visitors exploring northwest China's heritage. China Daily also notes Beijing Daxing Airport's upcoming Capital Airlines direct flight to Lisbon on June 22—the airport's first nonstop to Portugal—further boosting options from major Chinese hubs for Australian passengers seeking diverse European stopovers en route to exciting Chinese destinations.

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