China Eastern Airlines inaugurated a new non-stop flights between Shanghai and Venice last week. The carrier will operate the new route three times a week on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Qantas and China Eastern Airlines have been granted interim authorisation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for an extended Joint Coordination Agreement (JCA) enabling the carriers to continue to coordinate operations between Australia and mainland China until March 2022.

Qantas has told the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) the future of its sole route between Australia and China will be in jeopardy if an extension of its alliance with China Eastern is not extended by 18 months.

China Eastern has its eyes set on a joint venture with Virgin Atlantic, Air France and KLM, with the arrangement aimed at providing improved air connections between Europe and China.

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), also known as Beijing New Airport, was officially opened this week in China. The new facility features a starfish shaped terminal with five concourses and a whopping seven runways. It is billed as the “biggest airport in the world” and is the second international airport of Beijing along with Beijing Capital International airport.