VH-VYH (similar aircraft pictured) was taking off for flight QF520 to Brisbane on 8 November when its right-hand engine malfunctioned with a loud bang, sending hot metal fragments into the grass near the runway.
The Qatari flag carrier, which has been angling to increase its presence in Australia but was last year rebuffed by the federal government, could be interested in buying up to 20 per cent of Virgin from current owner Bain Capital.
The first flight from Shanghai Pudong, MU7389, touched down just after 10:30am on Friday aboard the 232-seat A330-200 B-8231. China Eastern will operate three non-stop return services per week, on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, until 18 February.
VH-VYH (similar aircraft pictured) was taking off for flight QF520 to Brisbane on 8 November when its right-hand engine malfunctioned with a loud bang, sending hot metal fragments into the grass near the runway.