China Eastern established at Stockholm Arlanda Airport as first direct flight to Shanghai take off
On June 22nd, one of China major airlines, China Eastern, established at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Operating a direct route to one of the country’s major hubs, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, three times a week, China Eastern will be an important addition to Stockholm Arlanda, further connecting Sweden with China.
- Investing in a direct route from Stockholm Arlanda Airport to Shanghai is a clear sign of strong confidence in the Swedish air travel market. 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 connectivity and China Eastern's large network facilitates for people to meet, whether for business, tourism or to visit family and friends, says Mats Johannesson, President and CEO of Swedavia AB.
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.
- It is a great honor for China Eastern Airlines to mark the resumption of non-stop flights between Stockholm Arlanda and Shanghai Pudong. Serving as a bridge linking Sweden and China together, this route embodies profound friendship between our two countries and a brand-new chapter in Sweden-China ties, says Haipin Liu, General Manager , China Eastern Airlines Europe Marketing Center. China's current 30-day visa-free policy for Swedish citizen and 240- hour transit visa-free program will greatly facilitate travel, business and visits to China. Our direct service eliminates lengthy transfers, making travel between our two countries faster, easier and more comfortable.
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 Airlines
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 820 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 150 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 2025, the group had sales of approximately SEK 6.8 billion and has approximately 2,800 employees.
