China Eastern Airlines Launches Flights to Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ezeiza International Airport welcomed the inaugural flight of China Eastern Airlines on Thursday at 4:50 PM, connecting Buenos Aires and Shanghai with a stopover in Auckland. The arrival of China’s third-largest airline marks the start of a regular operation that strengthens Asia’s presence in Argentina and reestablishes the link with Oceania, which was suspended during the pandemic.
Flight and Operational Details
The route is operated using a Boeing 777 configured with 316 seats. It will have two weekly frequencies, allowing passengers to board in Auckland bound for Buenos Aires, expanding travel options and strengthening the international network available to users.
The aircraft was greeted with the traditional water cannon salute after a 25-hour journey from Shanghai. The return flight is estimated to take 29 hours. The two-hour stopover in Auckland allows for refueling and gives passengers the opportunity to disembark during that time.
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Authorities Present at the Ceremony
The inaugural flight was received by a delegation comprising national authorities, diplomatic representatives, industry executives, and airport officials. Among them were Daniel Scioli, Secretary of Tourism, Sports, and Environment; Wei Wang, Ambassador of China; Kathryn Beckett, Ambassador of New Zealand; Daniel Ketchibachian, CEO of Aeropuertos Argentina; Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland; Fei Gao, President of China Eastern; Sebastián Villar Guarino and Lucas Cechet, responsible for operations at Ezeiza. The delegation later spoke with the media in the airport’s Islas Malvinas Room.
During the event, Scioli highlighted the airline’s decision to include Argentina in its network and emphasized the economic and cultural impact of this new route. He also thanked Aeropuertos Argentina for its investments in modernizing the facilities. Ketchibachian underscored the flight’s importance as a milestone connecting goods and cultures with China and New Zealand, the result of joint work between the public and private sectors. He also reaffirmed the commitment to promoting new routes and frequencies to strengthen trade and tourism.
Ezeiza, a Key Airport in the Region
Ezeiza International Airport, located 23 kilometers from Buenos Aires city, has the infrastructure to operate large aircraft and offers services designed for various types of passengers. In 2024, it recorded 11.4 million travelers, and between January and October 2025 it reached 9,681,315, a figure representing a 3.43% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Currently, 29 airlines operate there, with connections to multiple destinations around the world.
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