Shanghai expands international flight network, boosting inbound and outbound travel

Shanghai's airports have recently witnessed a significant expansion in their international flight network, with multiple new routes launched and existing ones resumed, further solidifying the city's position as a global aviation hub.

One notable addition is the maiden flight of SCAT Airlines' DV461 from Shymkent, Kazakhstan, which arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on May 30, marking the commencement of Shanghai's first direct passenger service to Central Asia. Additionally, Delta Airlines resumed its direct flights from Shanghai to Los Angeles on June 2, enhancing connectivity between the two metropolises.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport. [Photo/VCG]

The surge in international flights has contributed to a record-breaking increase in both aircraft departures and arrivals and passenger numbers at Shanghai's airports. According to Shanghai Customs, from January to May this year, Shanghai handled over 104,000 inbound and outbound flights, a 14.5-percent year-on-year increase, and welcomed nearly 17 million passengers, representing a growth of more than 20 percent compared to the same period last year.

Looking ahead, the Shanghai Airport Authority has announced plans to further expand its international route offerings. New routes to Geneva in Switzerland, Almaty in Kazakhstan, and Kumamoto in Japan, are scheduled to commence in June and July. Furthermore, there are plans to increase the frequency of flights to Italy's Milan and Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur, and to resume services to Copenhagen, Denmark, within the year.