China is strengthening its international aviation network with new routes, increased flight frequencies and expanded connections to destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. The adjustments are part of the country’s 2026–2027 winter-spring flight schedule, which officially began on October 25, 2026.
One of the major developments is Air China’s new Beijing–Copenhagen–Reykjavik route, scheduled to launch on October 26. The service will become the first scheduled passenger route to Iceland operated by a Chinese mainland-based airline, creating a new air connection between China and the Nordic region.
With a total flight time of approximately 15 hours and 45 minutes, the route is expected to improve travel options between East Asia, Southeast Asia and Iceland. Air China said the new service would strengthen its European network and provide passengers with more convenient connections to Northern Europe.
The airline has continued expanding its European operations throughout 2026, introducing new routes from Beijing to Brussels, Venice, Bucharest and Zagreb. During the winter-spring season, Air China’s European network will include 36 routes serving 24 destinations across 19 countries and regions, with approximately 480 flights per week.
Other major Chinese carriers are also increasing international connectivity. China Southern Airlines is expanding services from Beijing Daxing International Airport through Urumqi to cities in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, including Baku, Tbilisi, Yerevan and Ashgabat.
With these additions, China Southern now connects Beijing with 19 international destinations, supporting travel and commercial exchanges between China and markets in Central Asia and surrounding regions.
According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the new flight schedule will operate from October 25, 2026, to March 27, 2027. During this period, 216 Chinese and foreign airlines plan to operate approximately 116,000 passenger and cargo flights per week.
International passenger services are expected to increase across several major regions, including Central Asia, South Asia, North America, Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America. Flights to 17 countries, including Kazakhstan, India, Canada and Belgium, are projected to rise by more than 40% year on year.
Air connectivity with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative is also expected to expand faster than the overall aviation market. Chinese and international airlines plan to introduce new scheduled passenger services to Iceland, Madagascar and Jordan, adding eight new international destinations to the network.
The expanded flight schedule is also expected to support China’s inbound tourism industry. International passenger flights connecting China with 15 major inbound tourism markets, including Singapore and Malaysia, are projected to increase by 14.4% year on year.
Meanwhile, flight frequencies on 16 important inbound tourism routes, including Moscow–Haikou, Ulaanbaatar–Beijing and Busan–Zhangjiajie, are expected to grow by 45.9%, providing more travel options for international visitors.
China’s major international aviation hubs will also play a larger role in handling the increased passenger traffic. The country’s 10 leading international aviation hubs are expected to operate 11,794 passenger flights per week, accounting for 70.8% of the relevant international passenger flight total, compared with 62.3% during the corresponding period last year.
The expansion of international air services reflects China’s efforts to improve global transportation connectivity and facilitate international travel, tourism and business exchanges.
With additional destinations, higher flight frequencies and stronger connections through major aviation hubs, the new winter-spring schedule is expected to make travel between China and international markets more accessible while supporting broader economic and commercial cooperation.
