While China Eastern Airlines inaugurated its flight between Shanghai and Istanbul on September 28, the Chinese company and Turkish Airlines took the opportunity to sign Shanghai in China a memorandum of understanding, qualified as “a significant progress in relations between the two airlines”.
The agreement follows Chinese carriers’ intention to operate flights to Istanbul, a major indicator of the post-pandemic recovery of the Turkey-mainland China market. China Eastern Airlines joins airlines that operate flights between Turkey and mainland China. China Eastern Airlines’ inaugural flight has been operating since September 28, 2023, on the route Shanghai-Istanbul. Turkish Airlines currently operates 7 weekly frequencies on the same route and China Eastern Airlines will operate 3 weekly frequencies.
At the meeting in Shanghai, it was agreed to improve and expand cooperation between airlines within China Eastern Airlines’ flights between Shanghai and Istanbul. In this regard, the effectiveness of the existing Special Pro-Rata Agreement (SPA) between the two partners will be strengthened and it was indicated that further important measures will be taken once the necessary authorizations have been obtained from the competent authorities . Both airlines are pleased that the benefits arising from the cooperation will be maximized through the extensive network of Turkish Airlines and China Eastern Airlines.
“Our operations to the People’s Republic of China continue with 7 weekly frequencies each to Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing”commented Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi. “In addition to our direct flights, we will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure our growth in the Chinese market in accordance with several cooperations with our valued partners in the region. As highlighted in the memorandum of understanding we signed today with China Eastern Airlines, Turkish Airlines will continue to be a leading airline that always seeks progress. »
“The opening of China Eastern Airlines air service between Pudong, Shanghai and Istanbul, Turkey, will further facilitate trade and personnel movement between the two countries,” said Li Yangmin, CEO of China Eastern Airlines. “China Eastern Airlines and Turkish Airlines have a good basis for cooperation. With the opening of this air service and the signing of the memorandum, the space for future cooperation between the two parties will be broader. We look forward to strengthening communication and exchanges between the two sides and cooperating in the fields of domestic and international transit, land services and networks to jointly create a better future for both sides. »
