China Eastern Airlines apologized to passengers on Saturday after one of its aircraft struck a boarding bridge at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. The airline attributed the incident to a mechanical malfunction during taxiing from Chengdu, confirming all passengers were safe. The cause is under investigation.
China Eastern Airlines said a mechanical malfunction occurred as the flight from Chengdu was taxiing slowly towards its gate at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, causing the aircraft to strike the boarding bridge. The incident took place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, and was described as minor, with all passengers on board safe.
"The flight crew immediately handled it according to established procedures," the airline stated, noting that passengers disembarked in an orderly manner. "The cause of this incident is currently under investigation. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience it may have caused to passengers’ travel."
According to Trip.com’s flight tracker, the plane was an Airbus A350-900 widebody aircraft that had been in service for four years and three months.