The Shanghai-based carrier reported net profit of 1.564 billion yuan in Q1 2015. Earnings per share stood at 0.1234 yuan.

The airline attributed the profit hike to robust air traffic demand, lower fuel prices, as well as improved operational efficiency.

From January to March 2016, China Eastern transported a total of 24.37 million passengers and 328 million tonnes of cargo and mail, up 11.2% and 1.4% over the same period last year, respectively.