China Airlines Gear Up For Summer Travel Rush With More Frequent Flights And New Routes

Published on June 11, 2025

As the summer travel season approaches, China’s major airlines are intensifying their efforts to meet the increasing demand for both international and regional flights. With the peak travel period on the horizon, these airlines are unveiling a series of new routes and boosting the frequency of existing flights to ensure greater accessibility for travelers. This expansion comes in response to the rising number of passengers eager to travel abroad for vacations, business, and leisure, particularly as global tourism continues to rebound. By increasing connectivity and offering more flight options, China’s airlines are well-positioned to accommodate the surge in travel demand and strengthen their presence on the global aviation map.

As the summer travel season approaches, China’s major airlines are ramping up efforts to enhance their international and regional flight offerings. With the peak travel period drawing near, a series of new route launches and frequency increases are on the horizon to meet the growing demand for air travel.

One of the major initiatives is by China Southern Airlines, which will begin operating new international direct flights in mid-June. Beginning on June 16, the airline will introduce a direct flight from Beijing to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. This new route will operate twice a week, catering to increasing demand for travel between China and Central Asia. Another major addition will be the new route between Guangzhou, the capital of South China’s Guangdong Province, and Almaty, Kazakhstan. This flight will commence on June 25, with three round trips per week, providing greater connectivity between the two countries.

China Southern Airlines will continue expanding its network by launching a direct flight from Guangzhou to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on June 30, with three round trips per week. This route will connect two major economic hubs in Central Asia. Additionally, on July 1, the airline will commence a new direct flight between Harbin, located in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, and Vladivostok, Russia, with two round trips per week. These new services aim to boost regional connectivity and further support China’s expanding influence in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

Alongside these new services, China Southern Airlines is increasing the frequency of existing popular routes. For example, the Urumqi-Tbilisi route, which serves the capital of Georgia, will be upgraded from four round trips per week to seven starting June 1. Similarly, the Urumqi-Yerevan route will see its frequency rise from two round trips per week to three starting June 11. Furthermore, the Guangzhou-Brisbane route, which connects China with Australia, will increase from five to seven round trips per week starting June 12, providing more options for passengers traveling to and from the Asia-Pacific region.

China Southern’s international and regional route network is set to expand significantly. By the end of June, the airline plans to operate up to 150 international and regional routes, with a target of offering 2,000 flights weekly. This expansion is part of the airline’s broader strategy to strengthen its position as a global air travel leader and meet the increasing demand for international travel.

In a similar move, China Eastern Airlines is also broadening its international services. Starting June 24, the airline will begin a direct flight between Xi’an, a major city in central China, and Istanbul, Turkey. This will be the second direct route to Turkey for China Eastern, following the Shanghai-Istanbul route. The new service further solidifies the partnership between China and Turkey, fostering deeper aviation cooperation between the two nations.

Air China, one of China’s largest carriers, is also increasing flight frequencies to cater to growing international demand. From June 20, the airline will double the number of daily flights between Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, and Singapore, increasing the frequency from one to two flights per day. Additionally, starting June 30, Air China will enhance its route between Chengdu and Tokyo by adding a second daily flight, strengthening China’s aviation ties with Japan and further boosting connectivity in East Asia.

Spring Airlines, a prominent low-cost carrier, is also expanding its network. Starting June 25, the airline will begin a new round-trip route from Chengdu to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with one flight per day. In addition, the airline will resume its round-trip service from Chengdu Tianfu to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Thailand, starting June 27, providing one flight per day. These new and resumed routes are expected to meet the growing demand for affordable travel options to Southeast Asia.

China’s expanded air network is supported by a series of policies aimed at boosting international tourism and trade. In an effort to increase global accessibility, China has introduced a trial visa-free policy for nationals from four Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Starting from June 9, 2025, citizens of these nations will be able to enter China without a visa for business, tourism, family visits, or transit purposes, as long as their stay does not exceed 30 days. This new policy is set to last for one year, until June 8, 2026, and will further enhance travel opportunities between China and the Middle East.

The implementation of the visa-free policy is expected to have a significant impact on the number of foreign visitors to China. In the first quarter of 2025, the country saw more than 9 million visits by foreigners, marking a 40% year-on-year increase. Furthermore, over 18,000 foreign-invested companies were established in China in the first four months of the year, reflecting a 12.1% rise in foreign direct investment. These figures indicate China’s growing appeal as a destination for international travelers and investors alike.

China’s rapid expansion of its air routes and the easing of visa restrictions highlight the country’s continued commitment to improving global connectivity and attracting international visitors. With more flights and greater flexibility for travelers, China is poised to solidify its position as a leading hub for both business and leisure travel in the years to come.

As the summer travel season nears, China’s major airlines are expanding their international and regional networks to meet the growing demand. New routes and increased flight frequencies are aimed at accommodating the surge in passenger travel during this peak period.

In conclusion, China’s airlines are actively enhancing their international and regional networks in response to rising demand for air travel. With the launch of new routes, increased frequencies, and a host of new visa policies, the country is further strengthening its role as a major global travel destination. These efforts are expected to stimulate tourism, trade, and international cooperation, fostering even greater connections between China and the rest of the world.