China Eastern Airlines confirmed on 29 January that it will open the first ever non-stop passenger flights between Xi’an and Vienna from 20 April 2026. The Airbus A330 service will run three times a week (Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays), departing Xi’an as MU5063 at 01:30 and arriving in Austria at 06:10 local time; the return MU5064 leaves Vienna at 13:30, touching down in Xi’an the next morning. (english.news.cn)
For global mobility managers the route connects two fast-growing production and logistics clusters. Xi’an—birthplace of the Silk Road—is a major semiconductor, aerospace and electric-vehicle manufacturing base with five bonded zones. Vienna is a strategic gateway for Central-Eastern Europe, hosting 370 regional headquarters and a busy pharma-logistics hub at Schwechat Airport. The 9-hour flight trims at least four hours off typical one-stop itineraries via Beijing or Frankfurt.
When coordinating these new journeys, securing the correct travel documents will be essential. VisaHQ’s platform (https://www.visahq.com/china/) streamlines both Chinese and Schengen visa applications with up-to-date requirements, digital forms and optional courier handling—helping travelers and corporate mobility teams move from Xi’an to Vienna (and back) without paperwork headaches.
![China Eastern to Launch Xi’an–Vienna Non-Stop Service on 20 April]()
Airport executives hail the link as a vote of confidence in China’s inland market rebound and a sign that fifth-freedom traffic rights over Russian airspace are enabling competitive schedules to Europe. Vienna Airport expects the service to generate 34 000 inbound Chinese visitors in its first year and boost belly-hold cargo capacity by 45 tonnes weekly—beneficial for auto-parts and e-commerce exports.
Travel-policy impact: companies can now route project teams and engineers directly into Shaanxi Province without the additional domestic hop. Xi’an Xianyang International Airport already offers 24-hour on-arrival work-permit appointments and duty-free allowances aligned with Shanghai Pudong, making it easier to mobilise staff.
Introductory economy fares start at RMB 3 280 (approx. €415) return, while the 24-seat business cabin is priced from RMB 15 600. China Eastern says it will review frequency “subject to demand” and may up-gauge to A350-900 equipment for the 2026-27 winter schedule.
For global mobility managers the route connects two fast-growing production and logistics clusters. Xi’an—birthplace of the Silk Road—is a major semiconductor, aerospace and electric-vehicle manufacturing base with five bonded zones. Vienna is a strategic gateway for Central-Eastern Europe, hosting 370 regional headquarters and a busy pharma-logistics hub at Schwechat Airport. The 9-hour flight trims at least four hours off typical one-stop itineraries via Beijing or Frankfurt.
When coordinating these new journeys, securing the correct travel documents will be essential. VisaHQ’s platform (https://www.visahq.com/china/) streamlines both Chinese and Schengen visa applications with up-to-date requirements, digital forms and optional courier handling—helping travelers and corporate mobility teams move from Xi’an to Vienna (and back) without paperwork headaches.
Airport executives hail the link as a vote of confidence in China’s inland market rebound and a sign that fifth-freedom traffic rights over Russian airspace are enabling competitive schedules to Europe. Vienna Airport expects the service to generate 34 000 inbound Chinese visitors in its first year and boost belly-hold cargo capacity by 45 tonnes weekly—beneficial for auto-parts and e-commerce exports.
Travel-policy impact: companies can now route project teams and engineers directly into Shaanxi Province without the additional domestic hop. Xi’an Xianyang International Airport already offers 24-hour on-arrival work-permit appointments and duty-free allowances aligned with Shanghai Pudong, making it easier to mobilise staff.
Introductory economy fares start at RMB 3 280 (approx. €415) return, while the 24-seat business cabin is priced from RMB 15 600. China Eastern says it will review frequency “subject to demand” and may up-gauge to A350-900 equipment for the 2026-27 winter schedule.
