In response to rising tourism demand, China is significantly expanding its international flight network for the upcoming winter-spring season. According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, this expansion will see 16,654 international passenger flights per week connecting China with 84 countries, effective from October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027.
The new aviation schedule reflects increased flight frequencies 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 surged by more than 40 percent compared to the previous year. The network is also extending to new destinations, with scheduled passenger services to Iceland, Madagascar, and Jordan, adding eight destinations to China’s international reach.
This expansion aligns with a broader trend of growing demand for travel to and from China. Flight services connecting China with 15 major inbound tourism markets, including Singapore and Malaysia, have seen a 14.4 percent year-on-year increase. Major Chinese airlines are actively introducing new connections and increasing frequencies on existing routes. Air China, for instance, is launching services from Beijing to Reykjavik via Copenhagen and expanding routes to Bali and Hanoi. Similarly, China Southern Airlines is enhancing its services to Jeju Island, Langkawi, and increasing flights to Australia and New Zealand.
Beijing’s airports are also playing a crucial role in this expansion. Beijing Capital International Airport is set to manage an average of 252 international and regional passenger flights daily. Meanwhile, Beijing Daxing International Airport plans to connect with 44 international and regional destinations during the new season.
Domestically, aviation services are also on the rise. Airlines are introducing 288 new routes connecting smaller cities and regional destinations with major economic centers. Winter tourism hotspots like Yanji in Jilin province and Altay in Xinjiang are experiencing an upswing in flight bookings.
Overall, the winter-spring season will witness approximately 116,000 passenger and cargo flights operated weekly by 216 Chinese and international airlines. This strategic revision of airline schedules, which occurs biannually, aims to accommodate seasonal travel demand, optimize flight operations, and bolster both domestic and international connectivity. The move is expected to support tourism, business travel, and broader international exchanges.