Monday marked a significant milestone for Ireland as a new non-stop air route between Dublin Airport and Shanghai was launched. This service, operated by China Eastern Airlines, represents Ireland’s inaugural direct flight to China’s largest city, offering a critical link between the two nations.
The new route, utilizing Airbus A350-900 aircraft, is scheduled to operate three times a week. Additionally, it sets a record as Dublin Airport’s longest-ever non-stop scheduled flight. This development is poised to enhance Ireland’s connectivity with one of the world’s most pivotal aviation markets, promoting increased travel, tourism, trade, and educational exchanges between Ireland and China, according to the airport operator daa.
China Eastern Airlines, headquartered in Shanghai and part of the SkyTeam alliance, provides an extensive network of flights across Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America, South America, and the Middle East. The addition of this route is seen by Dublin Airport officials as a significant expansion of their long-haul offerings, opening up new opportunities for passengers traveling between the two countries.
Wang Zhiqing, Chairman of China Eastern Airlines, emphasized the importance of this new service, describing it as a convenient and efficient air corridor that will strengthen cooperation and foster closer ties between Ireland and China on various fronts.