China is significantly expanding its international flight network for the upcoming winter-spring season, responding to increased demand for cross-border travel and inbound tourism. The new schedule, announced by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, will be in effect from October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027, and includes 16,654 international passenger flights weekly, connecting China with 84 countries.
The expansion sees a notable increase in flight frequencies to regions such as Central Asia, South Asia, North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Services to 17 countries, including India, Kazakhstan, Canada, and Belgium, have seen frequency increases of over 40% compared to the previous year. Additionally, airlines are introducing new routes to Iceland, Madagascar, and Jordan, adding eight new destinations to China’s international aviation network.
This growth in flight services reflects the rising demand for travel to and from China. Connections with 15 key inbound tourism markets, including Singapore and Malaysia, have experienced a 14.4% year-on-year increase. Major Chinese airlines are also ramping up their international offerings. Air China is launching new routes from Beijing to Reykjavik via Copenhagen, as well as additional services to Bali and Hanoi. Meanwhile, China Southern Airlines is expanding flights to Jeju Island, Langkawi, and increasing services to Australia and New Zealand.
Beijing Capital International Airport plans to ramp up its international and regional operations, with 252 daily passenger flights scheduled on average during this period. Beijing Daxing International Airport is set to connect with 44 international and regional destinations. On the domestic front, airlines are adding 288 new routes, enhancing connectivity between smaller cities and major economic centers, with popular winter tourism spots like Yanji and Altay seeing a rise in bookings.
Overall, 216 Chinese and international airlines are expected to operate approximately 116,000 passenger and cargo flights weekly throughout the season. China regularly updates its airline schedules biannually to better align with seasonal travel demands, optimize flight operations, and enhance both domestic and international connectivity. This latest expansion is poised to bolster tourism, business travel, and broader international interactions.