With 239 passengers onboard, the inaugural flight linking Shanghai and Dublin, Ireland's capital, departed Shanghai Pudong International Airport on July 20.

Operated by China Eastern Airlines, the new route runs three times a week, departing Shanghai every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and returning from Dublin later the same day. Each one-way flight takes approximately 13 hours.

The route also serves as an important air cargo corridor, transporting high-value goods such as biopharmaceuticals, high-tech products, and fresh produce in the aircraft's belly hold.

Outbound shipments from Shanghai consist primarily of e-commerce goods, while return cargo from Dublin mainly comprises temperature-controlled products, including pharmaceuticals and fresh produce.

The launch of regular passenger flights is expected to further strengthen economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between China and Ireland.

Source: China Daily