Three Chinese airlines have filed applications with the Civil Aviation Administration of China to launch new services to Europe.
China Eastern Airlines has requested permission to operate a twice-weekly route between Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Wenzhou (WNZ), aiming to begin service in October. Currently, passengers flying from Milan Malpensa have non-stop options to several Chinese cities: Air China operates daily flights to Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG); Italian carrier Neos Air serves Nanjing (NKG) twice weekly and Guiyang (KWE) once weekly.
Shanghai-based Juneyao Airlines has applied for two long-haul routes from Shanghai Pudong (PVG) to Europe. One proposal targets Manchester (MAN) with a three-times-weekly service proposed to start in March 2020. At present, Hainan Airlines is the only Chinese carrier serving Beijing–Manchester, operating four flights per week.
Juneyao’s second proposal seeks to launch a three-times-weekly Shanghai Pudong–Athens (ATH) service, also proposed to commence in March 2020. At the moment, Air China provides the only direct Beijing–Athens connection, flying three times weekly.
Beijing Capital Airlines, the low-cost unit of Hainan Airlines, has applied to operate a weekly Beijing–Xi’an (XIY)–Lisbon (LIS) service, with a planned start in July.
All routes mentioned remain subject to regulatory approval by the Civil Aviation Administration of China and may be adjusted or delayed depending on government decisions and operational considerations.