China Eastern Plans Xi’an Airport Investment
China Eastern Airlines has committed to a 5 billion yuan ($696 million) investment package to expand its base at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY), advancing both the carrier’s northwest China growth strategy and the airport’s hub ambitions.
China Eastern Airlines has committed to a 5 billion yuan ($696 million) investment package to expand its base at Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY), advancing both the carrier’s northwest China growth strategy and the airport’s hub ambitions.
The investment will fund three core projects spanning aircraft maintenance, ground services and aviation catering, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
The largest project will create a new maintenance area designed to support widebody and narrowbody fleets, aimed at reducing turnaround times and operating costs. The base will include airframe and component maintenance as well as an aviation materials center.
A separate ground services and logistics base will upgrade passenger handling, baggage, aircraft monitoring and crew support. The facility is expected to improve flight efficiency and passenger experience while supporting growth in flight movements at Xi’an.
The third project will add a large aviation catering base with production workshops, cold-chain storage and a distribution system. The center will be able to prepare tens of thousands of airline meals daily.
The SkyTeam alliance member says investment will not only enhance its competitiveness in the region but also attract aviation-related industries, driving growth in logistics, manufacturing and services tied to the airport economy.
China Eastern is the largest carrier operating from XIY, accounting for about 31% of all departure seats during August 2025, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data. The carrier offers flights to 67 domestic destinations, as well as 12 international points.
Among the overseas flights is a route to Istanbul Airport, which launched in June. The service operates three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, using Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
The planned expansion at XIY comes as the Chinese city, the capital of the Shaanxi province, prepares to host Routes Asia 2026. The event will take place from April 14-16, 2026.
