China Eastern gets authorization to fly to Santiago
The CAAC approved China Eastern’s Shanghai–Santiago route, with three weekly flights via Auckland.
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The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has approved a new route linking Shanghai and Santiago de Chile, marking the first direct air connection —though with a technical stop— between both cities. The service will be operated by China Eastern Airlines, one of the country’s main carriers.
According to The Clinic, the resolution published by the Chinese authority authorizes three weekly flights with a technical stop in Auckland, New Zealand. The intermediate stop will allow for logistical and refueling operations before continuing to the Chilean capital.
The authorization was issued on July 2, 2025, although the announcement became public at the end of October. On the same day, the CAAC also approved a Shanghai–Buenos Aires operation, which would be considered the longest direct air route in the world, covering more than 19,000 kilometers in total.
The opening of the Shanghai–Santiago route represents a significant step in expanding air connectivity between Asia and South America, regions that still maintain limited regular services without passing through North America or Europe. The initiative highlights the growing interest of Chinese airlines in expanding their presence in the Southern Hemisphere, both in passenger and cargo markets.
Although the flight is described as “direct,” the technical stop in Auckland means it will not be nonstop. The total distance between Shanghai and Santiago exceeds 17,000 kilometers, which surpasses the operational range of most current commercial aircraft under standard conditions.
The framework enabling such operations is defined by the Air Services Agreement signed between Chile and China in 2009, which replaced the previous 1996 treaty. This instrument grants broad traffic and frequency rights to airlines designated by both countries, allowing direct flights, intermediate stops, and combined passenger and cargo operations. It also includes up to 14 weekly fifth-freedom cargo frequencies, facilitating the development of triangular routes across the Pacific.
The airline has not yet announced the start date of operations or the type of aircraft to be used on the new route. However, considering its long-haul fleet, it is likely that Boeing 777-300ER or Airbus A350-900 aircraft will be assigned —the latter widely used by Iberia, Air France, Turkish Airlines, and Delta on their services to Santiago. Both aircraft types are known for their long range and fuel efficiency, key characteristics for ultra-long-haul operations.
The future connection could strengthen tourism and trade flows between Chile and China, the South American country’s main trading partner. In particular, the air link would benefit exports of perishable goods such as fruits and seafood, which depend on rapid transport to Asian markets.
In the regional context, China Eastern’s expansion into South America reinforces the trend of Chinese carriers entering emerging markets, supported by bilateral air agreements and the recovery of international traffic after the pandemic.
With this approval, Chile joins Argentina and Brazil among the Latin American countries with approved connections from China, positioning Asia as a new long-haul axis for South American aviation and further strengthening Santiago Airport’s role as a hub between South America and Oceania.
Corresponsal de Aviacionline en Chile. Reportero gráfico.
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