China Eastern says that the service, to be started in December will initially operate twice a week
Chinese carrier China Eastern Airlines says it will launch a new air route linking Shanghai and Buenos Aires, with a stopover in Auckland, New Zealand, making it the first direct service between China and Argentina.
In a press statement, China Eastern says that the service, to be started in December will initially operate twice a week with Boeing 777s and that its “southern pass” is a faster, more convenient alternative to traditional routes through Europe or North America.
The carrier says it also plans to request fifth freedom rights, for loading and unloading passengers in a third country, allowing it to pick up and drop off passengers and cargo in Auckland, boosting connections between China, New Zealand, and Argentina. Additionally, China Eastern may increase its Shanghai–Auckland flights from the current seven to nine per week. The route still awaits final approval.
The statement adds that the new service would be the first such service since the old transpolar service operated in the 1990s by Aerolíneas Argentinas and by Air New Zealand between 2015 and 2020, which was discontinued largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.
China Eastern announced its plans after reaching an agreement earlier this week with Auckland Airport, providing for commercial flights between Shanghai Pudong International and Ezeiza, using the New Zealand facility as an intermediate point, where passengers would not be required to change aircrafts.
China Eastern’s plans come days after China granted visa-free entry to citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay allowing 30-day stays for tourism, business, family visits, or transit. This move is part of China’s broader strategy to enhance ties with Latin America, promote personnel exchanges, and align the region with its existing visa-exemption policies for many European and Asian countries.
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