International routes continue to resume and expand: more countries connected, denser "air corridors" to China
International passenger flights continue to be restored and added: Chinese airlines operate scheduled international flights to many countries, the weekly frequency of international flights during the winter-spring season has increased significantly, and multiple international routes have been newly launched or resumed, making the "air corridors" to China increasingly dense.
The easing of visa and entry policies requires sufficient "air corridors" to handle the passenger flow. In the past two years, the continued recovery and addition of international routes are making travel to China easier to reach.
More Countries and Destinations Connected
The number of countries served by Chinese airlines' international scheduled flights has steadily increased, and the cities connected have continued to expand. In different flight seasons, Chinese and foreign airlines together operate international routes covering dozens of countries, with destinations spanning major regions including Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and the Middle East, offering travelers a richer range of choices.
International Flight Volume Rebounds Significantly
- The overall recovery of international passenger flights has approached pre-pandemic levels, with the international flight volume of domestic airlines even exceeding pre-pandemic levels;
- In the winter-spring flight season, the weekly frequency of international flights increased significantly, and the number of accessible countries further expanded;
- International passenger traffic has maintained rapid growth, with international flight volumes during peak periods such as the summer travel rush and Spring Festival travel rush rising markedly year on year.
Differentiated Regional Recovery
The pace of route recovery varies by direction. Surrounding Asian markets are recovering ahead, with routes to Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Russia, and some Middle Eastern countries recovering relatively quickly; long-haul markets in Europe and America are also steadily rebounding. Overall, "denser around the periphery, gradual recovery on long-haul routes" is the prominent current feature.
The Driving Role of Aviation Hubs
Passenger throughput at major international hubs such as Shanghai Pudong and Guangzhou Baiyun remains high, and the recovery of international flights is gaining good momentum, making them important gateways connecting China with the world. As the route network continues to improve, travelers can depart from more cities and reach destinations across China via more transit points.
What it means for travelers to China
A denser route network means more flexible departure cities, shorter journey times, and more price options. Combined with policies such as visa-free entry and visa-free transit, a trip to China is already much easier than before, starting right from the step of "booking a ticket."