Shandong Airlines has launched international routes connecting major cities in Shandong province with key destinations in Southeast Asia, significantly expanding its network. The new services include flights from Qingdao to Ho Chi Minh City and Qingdao to Hanoi.

The Qingdao to Ho Chi Minh City route was launched on Jan 1, and the Qingdao to Hanoi route will start on Jan 17, with daily flights available.

Zhu Songyan, chairman and Party secretary of Shandong Airlines Group, highlighted that the new routes demonstrate the airline's commitment to national strategies like the Belt and Road Initiative and support Shandong's high-level opening-up.

"This move responds to the growing economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between Shandong and Southeast Asia," he stated. "It is also a key step in our transformation toward value-led growth during the '15th Five-Year' Plan period (2026-30)."

The routes will leverage Shandong Airlines' extensive domestic network from its Jinan and Qingdao hubs and connect with the global operations of other major Chinese carriers, strengthening the airline's two-way transfer capability and supporting the domestic-international dual circulation development pattern.

With growing economic cooperation between Shandong and ASEAN members, collaboration has expanded from traditional trade to e-commerce, green energy, and smart manufacturing. The new flights will provide essential air connectivity for Shandong enterprises expanding into Southeast Asia and facilitate increasing personnel and logistics exchanges.

Shandong Airlines plans to further strengthen its presence in Northeast Asia while exploring emerging Southeast Asian markets, carrying the "Friendly Shandong" brand across the region and beyond.

In 2025, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport achieves remarkable growth, reinforcing its role as a key regional aviation hub. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]