China Eastern to open 13 international routes in 1H

China Eastern plans to open 13 international routes in H1 this year as it speeds up its international expansion pace. The routes are Hangzhou-Osaka, Hangzhou-Shizuoka, Shanghai-Brisbane, Beijing-Bangkok, Chengdu-Langkawi, Ningbo-Phuket, Wenzhou-Rome, Wenzhou-Bangkok, Guangzhou-Laoag, Jinan-Seoul, Shanghai-Chicago, Shanghai-Prague and Shanghai-Amsterdam. The Shanghai-based carrier expects to operate Airbus A320s, A330s, Boeing737-8s and 777-300ERs on the new routes. China Eastern chairman Liu Shaoyong said last month that in 2015 its financial performance has much improved on international routes, especially on Sino-North American routes where it made a turnaround for the first time. It has also narrowed operating losses by big margins on other international long-haul routes.<br/>