Shanghai-based carrier debuts 19,700km route via Auckland fuel stop, targeting improved Asia-Pacific to South America supply chain connectivity
China Eastern Airlines aims to improve air cargo supply chains between Asia-Pacific and South America with the launch of regular flights to the latter region for the first time.
Shanghai-headquartered China Eastern Airlines will launch regular flights between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Buenos Aires’ Ministro Pistarini International Airport for the first time on 4 December.
Flying via Auckland in New Zealand for a fuel stop, the route – all 19,700km of it – will be operated twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays) by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
China-headquartered transport and logistics services supplier World Jaguar Logistics is offering up to 15 tonnes per week cargo capacity on the service, it said in a recent LinkedIn post. The company described the connection as “a seamless solution for faster, reliable cargo between China and Argentina”.
CNN quoted China Eastern as saying that “the Shanghai Pudong-Auckland-Buenos Aires route is seen as an important measure to build a new ‘Air Silk Road’ channel between Asia-Pacific and South America”.
In October, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) proposed prohibiting Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on routes to and from the US because of the competitive advantage it provides, it said.
The proposed measure, still under consideration, currently speciifically applies to the US, but not the rest of North America or South America.
