An array of international flights will be launched by Shanghai-based carriers including China Eastern Airlines and Juneyao Airlines, serving travelers' rising demand between the East China cosmopolitan and destinations worldwide.

Direct flight between Shanghai and Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was launched by China Eastern on Monday, marking the first Chinese airline to launch this route, announced the Shanghai-based carrier on Monday.

The Shanghai-Abu Dhabi flight is jointly operated by China Eastern and Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways on every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and backward from Abu Dhabi late on the same date (local time).

China Eastern is significantly expanding its international flight network, which is expected to offer travelers more options for the upcoming May Day holiday season.

In addition, the Shanghai-based airliner also unveiled plans to open new flights to more international destinations including Geneva of Switzerland, Milan of Italy, Copenhagen of Denmark, Barcelona of Spain, Casablanca of Morocco, Almaty of Kazakhstan, Tashkent of Uzbekistan, Kumamoto of Japan, among others.

Juneyao Airlines announced to launch a new direct route between Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on June 28 to further strengthen bilateral ties in trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two countries.

The Shanghai -Kuala Lumpur flight will run on every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and backward from Kuala Lumpur late on the next date (local time).