Monday marked a significant milestone for Dublin Airport as it inaugurated a direct flight route to Shanghai, establishing Ireland’s first non-stop air link with China’s largest city. Operated by China Eastern Airlines, this new service will run three times weekly, utilizing Airbus A350-900 aircraft for what will become the longest non-stop flight in Dublin Airport’s history.
The introduction of this route is expected to greatly enhance Ireland’s connectivity with one of the world’s key aviation markets. The airport operator, daa, has highlighted the potential benefits this connection could bring in terms of travel, tourism, trade, and educational exchanges between Ireland and China.
China Eastern Airlines, headquartered in Shanghai and a member of the SkyTeam alliance, has a broad network that spans Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America, South America, and the Middle East. The addition of the Dublin-Shanghai route is seen as a major expansion of Dublin Airport’s long-haul offerings, presenting new opportunities for passengers traveling between the two countries.
Wang Zhiqing, Chairman of China Eastern Airlines, expressed enthusiasm about the new service, noting that it establishes a convenient and efficient air corridor between Ireland and China. This development is anticipated to foster stronger cooperation and enhance people-to-people interactions between the two nations.