China is significantly expanding its international flight network in response to rising demand for cross-border travel and inbound tourism. The new aviation 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 per week connecting China to 84 countries.
The expansion sees increased flight frequencies across several 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 over 40% compared to the previous year. Additionally, new routes to destinations like Iceland, Madagascar, and Jordan are being introduced.
The heightened demand for travel to and from China is reflected in the increased flight services connecting the nation with 15 major inbound tourism markets, which have risen by 14.4% year-on-year. Major Chinese airlines are actively involved, with Air China adding routes to Reykjavik via Copenhagen and expanding services to Bali and Hanoi. China Southern Airlines is boosting its presence in destinations like Jeju Island and Langkawi, as well as increasing flights to Australia and New Zealand.
Beijing’s airports are also enhancing their operations. Beijing Capital International Airport will average 252 passenger flights daily during the new season, while Beijing Daxing International Airport aims to serve 44 international and regional destinations. Domestically, airlines are launching 288 new routes to better connect smaller cities and regional destinations with major economic centers.
Overall, 216 Chinese and international airlines plan to operate approximately 116,000 passenger and cargo flights weekly during the winter-spring season. This expansion is part of China’s biannual revision of airline schedules, a practice aimed at accommodating seasonal travel demand, optimizing flight operations, and strengthening both domestic and international connectivity.