Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines announced launch of new routes and acquisition of products during the ongoing second China International Import Expo to increase its presence in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

China Eastern's A350-900 plane prepares to land on Dec 1, 2018. (Photo: VCG)

The airline signed 14 agreements with suppliers from nine countries and regions on Wednesday, covering areas of aviation engine procurement and maintenance, aviation fuel, food and drinks on board, pilot training, IT services. Total value of the deals signed this year is projected to exceed 15.07 billion yuan inked last year.

The company hopes the optimized supply chain will better serve Chinese travelers' upgraded consumption, and strengthen China Eastern's competitiveness in the global market.

China Eastern paid special attention to communication and collaboration with countries and regions involved in the initiative. The carrier announced on the first day of the second China International Import Expo that it was going to add two flights between China and Hungary in December.

The two flights between Shanghai and Budapest via Chengdu in Sichuan province and Xi'an in Shaanxi province, respectively, will further extend China Eastern's air network to countries and regions related to the BRI.

China Eastern currently operates on 18 routes with 86 flights weekly to 11 European cities, namely Paris, London, Frankfurt, Rome, Amsterdam, Moscow, Madrid, St Petersburg, Prague, Stockholm and Budapest.