China Eastern is returning to Stockholm Arlanda Airport with a direct route to Shanghai
2026-03-06, kl. 09:33
One of Chinas major airlines, China Eastern, is returning to Stockholm Arlanda Airport in June 2026, with a new direct route to one of the country’s major hubs, Shanghai Pudong International Airport. China Eastern will be an important addition to Stockholm Arlanda, connecting the Swedish capital with Shanghai, Chinas financial and commercial hub.
- There is great confidence in the Swedish air travel market and China Eastern’s investment in a direct route from Stockholm Arlanda Airport to Shanghai is a clear sign of this. China Eastern will play an important role in connecting Sweden to China and other well-established markets in Asia. Swedavia’s main goal is to increase the connectivity and facilitate for people to meet, whether it is for business, leisure or to visit family and friends, says Elizabeth Axtelius, Director Aviation Business at Swedavia.
Shanghai is China’s largest city, a global financial and commercial hub and home to one of the world’s busiest ports. China is Sweden’s largest trading partner in Asia, and Shanghai is the base for many major Swedish companies. The new route will also be of significant importance for the hospitality industry as well as high-value cargo benefiting from shorter and faster delivery times. Furthermore, the route will serve as an important connection to the Greater China and Asia Pacific due to China Eastern’s vast network.
Starting on June 22, 2026, China Eastern will operate Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) – Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) three times a week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
For further information, please contact Swedavia’s press service at +46 (0) 109 01 00 or press@swedavia.se
About China Eastern
China Eastern Airlines Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shanghai, is one of the three major state-owned aviation transportation groups in China. The company is publicly listed on both the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges. China Eastern operates a fleet of over 800 aircrafts, which is one of the youngest fleets in the world. Moreover, it boasts the largest-scale widebody fleet with leading commercial and technical models in China. As a member of the SkyTeam Alliance, China Eastern boasts an aviation transport network covering more than 1,000 destinations in 160 countries and regions, serving over 140 million passengers annually and ranking among the world’s top ten airlines.
Swedavia’s work for fossil-free aviation
Swedavia has carried out ambitious climate work for many years. All ten of its airports achieved the goal of zero fossil carbon dioxide emissions from their own operations by year-end 2020. Swedavia also works actively to promote the switch to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and has the goal that five per cent of all fuel used for refueling at Swedish airports shall be fossil-free by 2025. Swedavia’s climate transition work and its pioneering work to operate climate-smart airports have won international awards, and in 2021 the trade organization Airports Council International (ACI) named Stockholm Arlanda Airport Eco-Innovation Airport of the Year. Swedavia offers all passengers flying from one of Swedavia’s airports the option to purchase SAF for all or part of their journey via flygreenfund.se/swedavia.
The Swedavia Group owns, operates and is developing 10 airports throughout Sweden. Our role is to create the connectivity Sweden needs to facilitate travel, business and meetings. Safe, satisfied passengers are the foundation of Swedavia’s business. Swedavia is a world leader in developing airports with the least possible environmental impact. Since 2020, Swedavia’s own airport operations have been fossil-free at all ten airports. In 2024, the group had sales of approximately SEK 6.4 billion and has approximately 2,750 employees.