China Eastern Airlines Launches Shanghai-Tashkent Route From March 30

China Eastern Airlines has announced a new direct service connecting Shanghai with Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, with the inaugural flight scheduled for March 30. The route will operate four times a week, marking another expansion of the carrier's network in Central Asia as part of the broader "Air Silk Road" strategy.

The new Shanghai to Tashkent flight is a strategic component of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a global infrastructure development plan aimed at enhancing Eurasian connectivity. This service is designed to facilitate increased trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between China and Uzbekistan, a key nation in Central Asia. The launch is also supported by mutual visa-free policies between the two countries, which have simplified travel and are expected to boost passenger demand for both business and leisure travel.

Flight Schedule and Operations

The new service will operate from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), a primary hub for China Eastern, to Tashkent International Airport (TAS). The outbound flight, MU6037, is scheduled to depart from PVG at 13:40 Beijing time, arriving at TAS at 18:40 local time. The return leg, MU6038, will depart Tashkent at 20:20 local time and arrive back in Shanghai at 06:15 the following day.

According to information from Seetao, the service is scheduled to run on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, providing consistent connectivity throughout the week. The flight timings are structured to facilitate connections for passengers traveling onward from Shanghai to other destinations within China Eastern's extensive domestic and international network.

Expanding the 'Air Silk Road'

This new connection from Shanghai builds upon China Eastern Airlines' existing presence in Uzbekistan. The airline previously launched a Xi'an-Tashkent route in 2025, indicating a sustained effort to build capacity in the region. As the second-largest airline in China by passenger volume and a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, China Eastern is actively expanding its international network, with a particular focus on nations participating in the BRI.

This expansion aligns with China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), which aims for direct flights to over 70 countries, including 50 BRI participants. The 'Air Silk Road' initiative is the aviation component of this strategy, intended to create a comprehensive air transport network that supports the broader economic goals of the BRI by improving logistics and facilitating personnel exchanges across Asia and Europe.

Industry Impact and Regional Connectivity

The establishment of this route reflects a broader trend of Chinese carriers rebuilding and strategically expanding their international flight schedules post-pandemic. Increased aviation cooperation between China and Central Asian countries is a key focus, with new air routes serving as economic corridors. The direct Shanghai-Tashkent link provides a crucial non-stop option for travelers, potentially diverting traffic from other regional hubs and strengthening PVG's role as a primary international gateway for China.

The implementation of visa-free travel agreements has been a significant catalyst for such routes. By removing administrative barriers, both countries have made the route more commercially viable, stimulating demand from tourists, students, and business professionals. This creates a more favorable operating environment for airlines and supports the continued growth of bilateral relations.

Why This Matters

This route launch signals China Eastern's commitment to long-term strategic growth in Central Asia, reinforcing the aviation framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. For passengers, it provides greater convenience and significantly reduces travel time between China's primary financial hub and a key Central Asian capital. For the broader aviation industry, it demonstrates the continued recovery and strategic reorientation of Chinese airlines toward expanding international connectivity, particularly along politically and economically significant corridors.

Access up-to-date commercial aviation news and airline industry developments via flying.flights. Follow aviation sustainability efforts, emissions research, and green initiatives in the Environmental section at flying.flights/environmental.