Juneyao Air has just announced the upcoming 2024 launch of a new route from its Shanghai hub to Athens (Greece), with its flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, further expanding its network in Europe. Juneyao Air is one of the leading private-owned carriers in China, and the first Connecting Partner of Star Alliance.
“Relying on the Belt and Road Initiative, Juneyao Air takes the lead to operate the intercontinental route among Chinese private-owned carriers,” said Mr Yu Chengji, CEO of Juneyao Air. “We choose Athens as Juneyao’s third European destination, because to the rich tourism resources of Athens and the Mediterranean and their increasingly closer commercial connection with China. The new route will further improve communication between the Chinese and Greek people, and boost the business, trade, tourism and culture connections between those two regions.”
On behalf of AIA, Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director of Communications & Marketing, said: “We are excited to welcome our partners and friends of Juneyao Air to Athens for the first time! In such a strategically important market as China, Shanghai has until now recorded the highest rates of indirect passenger traffic to Athens, so the launch of the direct connection for the first time is one of the most important developments for the airport, our city and country. On behalf of the Athens International Airport, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Juneyao Air for their “vote of trust” in the Athens market and confirm our firm commitment to continue working closely with the airline, aiming at significantly contributing to the success of the route.
We wholeheartedly wish our airline partner full and safe flights and continuous growth and development in our market!”
The route will operate three times per week and begin from April 2024, using a two-cabin Boeing 787 Dreamliner; being the only and first Chinese carrier flies directly on this Shanghai-Athens route. This is part of Juneyao Air’s plan to offer more global connectivity from China.
In addition to the Shanghai-Athens route, Juneyao Air now operates three nonstop routes connecting China to Europe, Shanghai-Helsinki, Zhengzhou-Helsinki, and Zhengzhou-Milan, carrying over 180,000 travelers in the past four years.
