Chinese airline Juneyao Air inaugurates direct flights between Brussels and Shanghai

Brussels Airport has welcomed its first Juneyao Air flight as the Chinese airline expands its European network by launching six additional routes.

The new direct service to Shanghai operates three times a week with its flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, every Monday, Friday and Sunday.

It offers Belgian travellers additional flights to the Chinese city, following the restart of four weekly flights by Hainan Airlines after a five-year hiatus by the company due to the pandemic.

Shanghai-based Juneyao Air is a privately owned airline established in 2005. It operates a fleet of around 100 aircraft, including Airbus A320s as well as 10 Boeing Dreamliners. For maximum connectivity, the airline is a Star Alliance Connecting Partner, announced the company in a press release.

The inaugural flight in Brussels on 1 July, which received a traditional water salute by firefighters, was matched by the launch of a direct service on the same day to Manchester in the UK.

The new flight routes between Brussels and Shanghai follow an economic mission to China earlier this year, led by foreign minister Hadja Lahbib. It was aimed at strengthening economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries, in particular boosting tourism and business relations.

“The Smurfs and The Adventures of Tintin are famous in China and remind us of our childhood. The wisdom and courage of the Belgians made a strong impression on the Chinese,” said Wang Junjin, president of Juneyao Air, during the inauguration ceremony (pictured above with Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist).

“I hope that Juneyao Air's new Brussels-Shanghai route will not only promote the internationalisation of Juneyao Air, but also strengthen mutual understanding and trust between the two countries, thereby strengthening economic, scientific, technological and cultural,” he added.

Photos: (main image) ©Juneyao Air; inauguration dinner ©Fredography