Shandong Airlines

Shandong Airlines maintains a strong safety reputation based on available data and recognitions.

The airline has an "impeccable safety record for 30 consecutive years". AirlineRatings.com gives Shandong Airlines a high 7/7 safety rating. This is supported by multiple safety awards from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), including the "Golden Wild Goose Cup" and "Golden Eagle Cup" (received four times), and the "Five-Star Flight Safety Award". Shandong Airlines is also noted as the first and only airline to have received the "China Quality Award".

While the overall safety record is strong, there have been some incidents. On June 27, 2025, Shandong Airlines Flight SC4667, a Boeing 737-800, made an emergency landing in Nanjing due to an engine malfunction, which involved loud noises, vibrations, and a burning odor in the cabin. The crew handled the situation professionally, ensuring a safe landing and disembarkation. Another incident occurred on July 30, 2025, involving a nose gear steering failure on a Boeing 737-800 after landing at Xiamen. Additionally, on November 10, 2024, a parked Boeing 737 MAX 8 was struck by an airport bus at Hong Kong-Chek Lap Kok International Airport, causing minor damage to the winglet. Other past incidents include burst tires on landing in 2016 and a bird strike in 2014.

In terms of regulatory compliance, Shandong Airlines is not listed on the European Union (EU) Air Safety List (often referred to as the "EU blacklist"), which means it is permitted to operate flights into, out of, and over EU airspace. The airline's fleet primarily consists of Boeing 737 series aircraft. As of August 2022, the average age of its Boeing 737-800s was 8.9 years, while 737-700s averaged 16.9 years, and 737 MAX 8s (though grounded in China at that time) averaged 2.9 years. By January 2025, the average fleet age was approximately 12 years. The airline emphasizes its "industry-leading maintenance facilities" at its hubs to support reliability and safety.

Overall, based on its high safety ratings, numerous awards from Chinese aviation authorities, and the absence from international safety blacklists, Shandong Airlines demonstrates a robust commitment to safety and maintains a commendable safety record despite occasional incidents.