One of China’s leading private airlines, Juneyao Air, with a fleet of 92 aircraft and routes to 200 destinations in Asia and Europe, is launching direct flights connecting Athens with Shanghai, using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft , starting from April 2024.
Juneyao Air is one of the leading private airlines in China and is also the first Star Alliance Connecting Partner.
Why did he choose Athens?
“Based on the Belt and Road Initiative, Juneyao Air, the first among Chinese private airlines, undertakes this transcontinental route,” said Mr. Yu Chengji, CEO of Juneyao Air. .
“We choose Athens as Juneyao’s third European destination, due to the rich tourism resources of Athens and the Mediterranean and their increasingly close trade connection with China. The new route will further improve communication between the Chinese and Greeks and strengthen business, trade, tourism and cultural connections between the two regions.”
The importance of the new movement
On behalf of Athens International Airport, Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Communications & Marketing, said: “We are excited to welcome Juneyao Air’s partners and friends to Athens for the first time! In such an important, strategically important market as China, Shanghai has until now recorded the highest rates of passenger traffic to Athens via intermediate stations, so the launch of the direct connection for the first time is one of the most important developments for the airport, our city and country.
On behalf of Athens International Airport, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Juneyao Air for the “vote of confidence” in the Athens market and confirm our commitment to continue working closely with the airline, with the aim of making a substantial contribution to route success. We wish our airline partner full and safe flights and even greater growth in our market!”
When will the flights operate?
The route will operate 3 times a week starting in April 2024, with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, offering a premium cabin and an economy cabin. Juneyao Air is the only and the first Chinese airline that will make the direct connection between Shanghai and Athens. The route is part of Juneyao Air’s plan to offer increased global connectivity from China.
In addition to the Shanghai-Athens route, Juneyao Air already operates 3 direct routes connecting China to Europe, Shanghai-Helsinki, Zhengzhou-Helsinki, and Zhengzhou-Milan, having carried more than 180,000 travelers in the past 4 years.
