A new flight connection offering three returns a week between Brussels and Shanghai has been inaugurated, offering passengers a fresh direct route between the Belgian and Chinese capitals and promising to further boost not only Chinese tourism but Brussels Airport’s 2024 passenger numbers as the hub aims for six per cent more flyers than last year.
Juneyao Air inaugurates direct flights between Brussels and Shanghai
Juneyao Air service has been in operation for just a fortnight since 3 July 2024, when the first flight was welcomed in Brussels with a water salute by firefighters. Served by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, it flies out lunchtime from Brussels Airport to Shanghai every Monday, Friday and Sunday at 12:05 pm, arriving in China at 5:05 am the following morning.
The return to the home of the EU departs from Shanghai Wednesday, Friday and Sunday in the early hours at 1:35 am, arriving in Belgium at 7:30 am.
Strengthening ties
Pictured holding a model of Tintin’s moon adventure rocket at the inauguration ceremony alongside Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist, Wang Junjin, president of Juneyao Air, said “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,” adding: “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 ties.”
Flying Brussels to Shanghai is getting easier, with the recent resumption of four flights per week operated by Hainan Airlines after a five-year absence prompted by Covid-19 and now the latest route expansion with Juneyao, a Star Alliance Partner, meaning passengers have even greater choice.
What’s more, another Asian route is coming back online post-pandemic from 1 December 2024, when Thai Airways will resume a daily Boeing 787-8 service between Brussels and Bangkok after a four-year wait.
Expansion and international recognition
Brussels Airport was recently highly commended in the Airports Council International (ACI) Best Airports 2024 awards in the 10-25 million passenger category and it is going from strength to strength. Other newcomer carriers to the European hub this summer include Singapore Airlines, flying to Singapore, Wideroe serving Bergen, and Wizz Air, taking flyers to and from Budapest.
Additional destinations offered by existing Brussels partners and now reachable from Brussels include Bari, Italy with Transavia, Gazipasa in Turkey, flown by Turkish carrier Corendon, as well as Krakow, Poland and Nairobi, Kenya, both operated by Brussels Airlines.
