China is expanding its international flight network for the upcoming winter-spring season to accommodate the increasing demand for cross-border travel and inbound tourism. From October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027, the Civil Aviation Administration of China has scheduled 16,654 international passenger flights per week, linking China with 84 countries.
Significant increases in flight frequencies have been observed across various regions, including Central Asia, South Asia, North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Notably, services between China and 17 countries, such as India, Kazakhstan, Canada, and Belgium, have increased by more than 40% compared to the previous year.
New routes are also being introduced, with scheduled passenger services to Iceland, Madagascar, and Jordan, marking an expansion into eight additional destinations. This reflects the growing interest in travel to and from China, with flight services connecting China to 15 major inbound tourism markets, including Singapore and Malaysia, rising by 14.4% year-on-year.
Major Chinese airlines are actively contributing to this expansion. Air China is adding flights from Beijing to Reykjavik via Copenhagen, and routes to Bali and Hanoi. China Southern Airlines is increasing its services to destinations such as Jeju Island and Langkawi, while boosting flights to Australia and New Zealand.
Beijing’s airports are also enhancing their operations. Beijing Capital International Airport is scheduling an average of 252 daily international and regional passenger flights, while Beijing Daxing International Airport will serve 44 international and regional destinations.
Domestically, airlines are launching 288 new routes, connecting smaller cities and regional destinations with major economic centers. Winter tourism destinations like Yanji in Jilin province and Altay in Xinjiang have seen a rise in flight bookings.
Overall, the plan involves 216 Chinese and international airlines operating approximately 116,000 passenger and cargo flights weekly during the season. China regularly revises its airline schedules twice a year to align with seasonal travel demand, optimize flight operations, and enhance connectivity both domestically and internationally. The latest expansion aims to bolster tourism, business travel, and broader international exchanges.