Chinese Airlines Are Working to Expand Overseas Routes

Chinese airlines are pushing to accommodate the growing enthusiasm for travel by expanding their international routes.

Beginning on April 28, China Eastern Airlines will inaugurate direct flights from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Abu Dhabi, marking the airline’s first venture into this route. They will also form a joint venture with Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi’s national airline.

Additionally, Sichuan Airlines plans to initiate direct flights from Chengdu Tianfu in Sichuan Province to Penang, Malaysia with five flights scheduled each week starting April 30. Notably, Sichuan Airlines commenced a commercial charter service from Chengdu to Pokhara, Nepal on March 18.

Meeting International Demand

This surge in international flight routes is linked to an increase in foreign passenger count at Chinese airports, aided by the 240-hour visa-free transit policy. According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), international flight routes recorded 12.84 million passenger trips within the first two months of 2025, reflecting a 38.6% increase compared to the same period last year, alongside a 6.5% rise from 2019.

Data from Wuhan’s entry-exit inspections reported that 11,600 foreign tourists passed through Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in the first 17 days of March, demonstrating a notable 23.83% growth year-on-year. The majority of these visitors hailed from Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. Among them, 4,200 reached China without a visa due to the transit exemption, illustrating a remarkable 158.83% increase over the previous year.

Approximately 60% of all travelers come for tourism reasons.