Juneyao Airlines identifies Helsinki as first long-haul route

Juneyao Airlines plans to begin intercontinental operations in June 2019 with a connection between Helsinki and Shanghai. The daily service will employ Boeing 787-9s; Juneyao has ordered 5 of the type. Juneyao’s Helsinki services, which was announced by the CAAC, will compete with Finnair. No Chinese state carrier is operating the route, which made it easier for Juneyao to obtain the rights. The service will operate from Shanghai Pudong International, the city’s airport for long-haul flights. The airline may shift its intercontinental focus to Nanjing. The airline agreed with the city govt two years ago to set up a base at Nanjing Lukou International and open long-haul service from there. Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu province, where the provincial govt is keen to foster international air connections. <br/>