China Eastern Airlines launches direct flights between Tashkent and Shanghai

China Eastern Airlines performed its inaugural flight to Tashkent on March 30. The new route establishes a direct link between the capital of Uzbekistan and Shanghai, one of the world’s major financial and commercial hubs.

Photo: Uzbekistan Airports

The first flight, MU6037, landed at Tashkent International Airport at 18:00 local time on March 30. According to the press service of Uzbekistan Airports, the aircraft, carrying 265 passengers, was greeted with a traditional water arch ceremony on the runway. Simultaneously, a formal registration ceremony was held in the Tashkent terminal for the first group of passengers departing from the capital toward Shanghai.

The airline plans to operate this route four times per week, with scheduled flights on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. China Eastern will utilize Airbus A330 aircraft for the service, and the average flight duration is estimated to be approximately 8 hours.

China Eastern Airlines is already familiar with the region, having previously operated regular services on the Xi’an – Tashkent route. The addition of the Shanghai route is expected to further facilitate tourism, business exchanges, and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Uzbekistan Airports noted that the launch of this route is a key part of the broader strategy to transform Tashkent into a regional aviation hub.