Etihad announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with China Eastern during the Arabian Travel Market on April 30, 2025.
The agreement comes after China Eastern launched its inaugural flight from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) on April 28, 2025.
China Eastern’s service starts with four weekly frequencies and will increase to a daily frequency starting September 12, 2025.
你好 Nǐ Hǎo! ✈️
Did you catch the arrival of China Eastern’s inaugural flight from Shanghai to Abu Dhabi last night? We’re thrilled to announce our joint venture with @CEAirglobal. The service starts with four weekly flights and will increase to a daily frequency starting 12… pic.twitter.com/3knsUchiSi
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) April 29, 2025
Under the joint venture agreement, members of Etihad Guest and Eastern Miles programs can earn and redeem miles across both airlines’ global networks.
Etihad said the joint venture represents the long-standing ties between the UAE and China, with the two airlines now able to offer its customers more convenient connections to cities in China and in the Middle Eastern region.
The partnership is the first joint venture between a Middle Eastern airline and a Chinese airline, setting a precedent for future bilateral aviation agreements. According to Etihad, both airlines will continue to align in areas including codeshare flights, joint marketing initiatives, and customer experience enhancements.
“The official launch of our Joint Venture with China Eastern is a major leap forward—not just for our two airlines, but for the future of both the UAE and China. By combining our networks and aligning our loyalty programs, we’re not only expanding choice and connectivity for our guests, but also setting the foundation for a new era of cooperation, innovation, and shared success across our markets,” said Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways.
