China Eastern Airlines' inaugural direct flight linking Shanghai with Geneva is greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

China Eastern Airlines' inaugural direct flight linking Shanghai, China, with Geneva, Switzerland, landed here early Monday morning.

Flight MU217 departed from Shanghai Pudong International Airport carrying 243 passengers, achieving a seat occupancy rate of over 85 percent. The aircraft arrived in Geneva at 7:25 a.m. local time and was greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute, a traditional tribute reserved for major occasions in civil aviation.

Operated by China Eastern Airlines, the new service will run four times weekly - on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

"Shanghai is a key gateway to China, and this connection will boost high-value tourism, business travel, and cultural ties," said Adrien Genier, CEO of the Geneva Tourism & Conventions Foundation. The foundation also noted that China remains one of Geneva's most important and fastest-growing long-haul markets as of 2024.

"It will make travel between the two countries much easier - not only for tourists, but for diplomats and business travelers, who are particularly important in Geneva," said Yves-Daniel Viredaz, Head of Business Development at Geneva Airport.

Liu Haiping, General Manager of the Europe Marketing Center at China Eastern, highlighted the impact of China's current 30-day visa-free entry policy for Swiss and some other European nationals. "We've seen strong growth across our European routes thanks to the visa-free policy, with Shanghai serving as a key gateway for travelers heading to and from China," Liu said. 

A passenger displays a special boarding card and a stuffed toy designed in commemoration of China Eastern Airlines' inaugural direct flight linking Shanghai with Geneva in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

China Eastern Airlines' inaugural direct flight linking Shanghai with Geneva lands in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

China Eastern Airlines' inaugural direct flight linking Shanghai with Geneva is greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

A ribbon-cutting ceremony of China Eastern Airlines' inaugural direct flight linking Shanghai with Geneva is held in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)