Back to Normal: Eastern Airlines Seeks Permission to Operate Flights to Wuhan

Eastern Airlines, based in Pennsylvania, has approached the U.S. Department of Transport (DoT) for permission to operate flights to Wuhan (WUH), China, from New York/John F. Kennedy (JFK), making a stop at Anchorage (ANC), Alaska.

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Targeting January 2024 Commencement

The airline, in its application to the DoT, plans to begin operations to Wuhan as soon as authorization is granted, with a preferred start date of January 1, 2024. Although the frequencies and aircraft to be deployed are not specified, these details will depend on the slot allocation received.

Eastern’s Market Positioning

This marks the airline’s third attempt to establish routes to China, all originating from New York. Previously, Eastern Airlines had received approval to operate to Jinan (TNA), but the service was never launched. More recently, the airline abandoned its plans for Shanghai/Pudong (PVG).

Eastern Airlines aims to serve U.S. business and government travelers, becoming the only U.S. airline to operate flights to this scientifically prominent Chinese city of 12 million people.

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Fleet and Current Operations

Eastern Airlines currently operates a fleet consisting of one Boeing 767-200 (ER), five Boeing 767-300 (ER), and one Boeing 777-200 (ER). Besides, the airline owns over a dozen Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft currently being converted to freighters or are temporarily grounded.

According to Flightradar24 data, four Eastern Airlines aircraft have been operational over the last two weeks, mainly on military charter flights between Fayetteville (POB) and Alexandria (AEX).