China Eastern Airlines to Launch Shanghai-Auckland-Buenos Aires Route, Boosting Connectivity with South America
China Eastern Airlines is set to bridge Asia and South America with a pioneering "Shanghai-Auckland-Buenos Aires" route launching in December 2025.
China Eastern Airlines has announced a landmark agreement with Auckland Airport to launch a new route connecting Shanghai, Auckland, and Buenos Aires. The service, expected to commence in December 2025 pending regulatory approval, will mark the airline's first entry into the South American market and establish the only direct air link between China and Argentina.
The agreement was signed on June 18, 2025, in a ceremony attended by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Shanghai Vice Mayor Zhang Xiaohong, and China Eastern Airlines Chairman Wang Zhiqing, among other dignitaries.
A key feature of this new route is New Zealand's implementation of a transit visa-free policy for Chinese passengers transiting through Auckland, a move aimed at facilitating seamless travel and boosting tourism. Prime Minister Luxon highlighted the new route's potential to build a more resilient aviation network and create significant opportunities for trade and tourism between Asia, New Zealand, and South America.
China Eastern Airlines plans to operate the new service twice a week using a Boeing 777 aircraft. The route is being touted as a "Southward Channel," offering a more efficient travel option compared to traditional routes via North America or Europe. The airline claims this southern corridor will result in shorter flight distances, reduced travel times, and a more convenient transfer experience with less significant time differences.
As recently as November 2023, China Eastern had received authorization from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to operate a Shanghai-Buenos Aires route with a stopover in Madrid, Spain. That approved plan involved two flights per week and included fifth-freedom rights, which would have allowed the airline to sell tickets for the Madrid-Buenos Aires segment.
The change to the Auckland stopover represents a pivot to a "southbound" channel, which the airline states will offer shorter flight times and a more convenient transfer experience for passengers.
The airline will also seek fifth freedom rights for the route, which would allow it to carry passengers and cargo between Auckland and Buenos Aires, further enhancing connectivity and economic exchange between New Zealand and Argentina.
This new route builds upon China Eastern's existing presence in New Zealand, where it currently operates daily flights between Shanghai and Auckland. The airline plans to increase the frequency on this leg to nine flights per week following the introduction of the Buenos Aires service.
Wang Zhiqing, Chairman of China Eastern Airlines, stated that the new route is a significant step in the airline's strategy to expand its global network and will serve as a vital link for cultural and economic exchange. Auckland Airport CEO Carrie Hurihanganui echoed this sentiment, calling the "Southern Corridor" a long-held goal and praising China Eastern's continued partnership and expansion.
The introduction of this route is poised to significantly enhance travel and trade links between China, New Zealand, and South America, offering a new, direct pathway for passengers and cargo.
Desde 2017, haciendo periodismo aeronáutico. Award-Winning Journalist: Ganador de la edición 2023 de "Periodismo de Altura", otorgado por ALTA. Facts don't care about your feelings.
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