In a significant expansion of its European network, China Eastern Airlines is set to introduce two new routes this summer, tapping into the growing demand for long-haul travel from China. The airline will connect Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) with Copenhagen and Milan, marking an ambitious move to enhance its presence in the European market.
Starting June 20, 2025, flights to Milan Malpensa Airport will be operated daily using Airbus A350-900 aircraft. This route is particularly notable as China Eastern already serves Milan from Xi’an, a service that was launched in September 2024. Meanwhile, service to Copenhagen Kastrup Airport, which will commence on July 17, 2025, will be operated three times per week using A330-200s, making it a new addition to China Eastern’s growing list of European destinations.
China Eastern’s new routes come at a time when Chinese carriers are increasingly capitalizing on their access to Russian airspace, a strategic advantage that allows them to offer shorter, more efficient flight paths to Europe. This access remains restricted for many Western airlines due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in light of the war in Ukraine. By utilizing Russian airspace, Chinese airlines can provide competitive travel options that are both quicker and more fuel-efficient compared to their Western counterparts.
As part of this expansion, China Eastern will compete directly with Air China, which operates a daily service on the Shanghai–Milan route. However, the Shanghai–Copenhagen market remains unserved, positioning China Eastern as the sole operator on that route. According to OAG Schedules Analyser, the only current connection from Copenhagen to mainland China is through Air China’s daily flight from Beijing Capital International Airport. SAS, which previously operated the Copenhagen–Shanghai route, discontinued the service in November 2024, citing unfavorable market conditions.
China Eastern’s strategic move to expand its European network will also include the launch of a new service to Geneva, scheduled to start on June 16, 2025, with four flights per week. Additionally, the airline is increasing frequencies on its Shanghai–Venice Marco Polo Airport route, adding a fourth weekly flight to the service that began last September.
This trend of expansion is not limited to China Eastern. Other Chinese airlines are also ramping up their European services this summer. Sichuan Airlines is set to launch a four-times-weekly service between Chengdu Tianfu and Madrid Barajas Airport on April 27, 2025. Hainan Airlines will introduce a weekly flight from Haikou to London Heathrow starting May 7, 2025. Furthermore, Air China will resume its Chengdu Tianfu–Paris Charles de Gaulle route on April 28, 2025, marking its return after a five-year hiatus.
As the summer 2025 season approaches, total two-way seat capacity between mainland China and Europe, excluding Russia, is projected to reach approximately 10.3 million. This figure represents a 7% increase year-on-year, with Chinese carriers expected to account for around 82.5% of that capacity, up from 66% in the summer of 2019, prior to the pandemic and the subsequent closure of Russian airspace to most Western operators.
Meanwhile, in Continental and Nordic Europe, the aviation sector is also witnessing a notable surge in new routes. In March 2025, 43 new routes were launched across the region, demonstrating a robust recovery and growth in air travel. Among these, 14 routes, or 33%, have carriers as the sole scheduled operators, indicating a strong competitive landscape.
The Scandinavian airline SAS led the charge with the introduction of six new routes, followed closely by Condor Flugdienst with five. Other airlines such as Air Dolomiti, Lufthansa City Airlines, and Binter Canarias each added four new routes to their networks. This expansion reflects a growing appetite for travel in the region, as airlines respond to increased demand from both leisure and business travelers.
As the aviation industry continues to rebound from the challenges posed by the pandemic, these developments signal a promising future for air travel. Airlines are not only expanding their networks but are also adapting to changing market dynamics. The ability to capitalize on strategic advantages, such as access to certain airspaces, will play a crucial role in shaping the competitive landscape of international aviation.
In conclusion, the expansion efforts by China Eastern Airlines and the overall increase in new routes in Europe highlight a significant moment for the aviation industry. With airlines striving to meet the growing demand for travel, the upcoming summer season is poised to be a pivotal time for both Chinese and European carriers.
