China is significantly expanding its international flight network to meet the rising demand for cross-border travel and inbound tourism. Effective from October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027, the new aviation schedule includes 16,654 international passenger flights per week, connecting China with 84 countries, as announced by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
This expansion sees increased flight frequencies across regions such as Central Asia, South Asia, North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Notably, services between China and 17 countries, including India, Kazakhstan, Canada, and Belgium, have risen by over 40% compared to the previous year. Additionally, new routes to Iceland, Madagascar, and Jordan are being introduced, further widening China’s international aviation network.
The surge in flight services reflects a growing appetite for travel to and from China, with connections to 15 major inbound tourism markets like Singapore and Malaysia experiencing a 14.4% increase year-on-year. Major Chinese airlines are ramping up their international offerings, with Air China adding routes from Beijing to Reykjavik via Copenhagen, as well as to Bali and Hanoi. China Southern Airlines is expanding its services to destinations such as Jeju Island and Langkawi, along with increased flights to Australia and New Zealand.
Beijing’s airports are also enhancing their operations to accommodate this growth. Beijing Capital International Airport plans an average of 252 passenger flights daily during the new season, while Beijing Daxing International Airport aims to serve 44 international and regional destinations.
Domestically, the expansion includes 288 new routes connecting smaller cities and regional destinations with major economic centers, boosting connectivity within China. Winter tourism hotspots like Yanji in Jilin province and Altay in Xinjiang are seeing rising flight bookings, reflecting a broader trend of increased travel interest.
Overall, 216 Chinese and international airlines plan to operate approximately 116,000 passenger and cargo flights weekly during the winter-spring season. This expansion aligns with China’s biannual revision of airline schedules to cater to seasonal travel demand and strengthen both domestic and international connectivity, supporting tourism, business travel, and broader international exchanges.