China’s flag carrier Air China has unveiled an ambitious expansion strategy for its 2026 summer-autumn flight season, commencing March 29th. The airline will operate an average of 1,766 daily flights across its network—a substantial 12% year-on-year increase—demonstrating robust recovery in China’s aviation sector following pandemic-era disruptions.
The comprehensive schedule encompasses 461 routes serving 198 cities across 49 countries and regions, including 110 international and 12 regional pathways. International operations show particularly strong growth with 249 daily flights planned, representing a 15% capacity increase compared to 2025.
A centerpiece of the expansion involves the extended deployment of China’s domestically developed C919 narrow-body aircraft. The jetliner will commence new commercial services to Harbin and Xiamen, marking another milestone in China’s aviation manufacturing capabilities.
Domestically, Air China will introduce six new routes while enhancing frequency on over 80 existing corridors, particularly those connecting Beijing and Chengdu with major economic hubs. This represents a 9% increase in domestic capacity.
Internationally, the carrier will boost frequencies on European routes including Beijing–Warsaw, Milan, and Budapest. New services will connect Chongqing with Manila and Wenzhou with Jeju, while the Beijing–Delhi route resumes after a prolonged hiatus.
The airline’s dual-hub strategy receives significant reinforcement with optimized operations at Beijing’s Capital and Daxing airports. Beijing Daxing will gain new international connections to Frankfurt and Milan, strengthening its position as an emerging global aviation hub. Similarly, Chengdu’s dual-airport system (Shuangliu and Tianfu) will see enhanced coordination to accommodate growing passenger demand.
This expansion builds upon the record-breaking performance during China’s recent Spring Festival travel period, which saw unprecedented passenger volumes and signaled strong recovery in both business and leisure travel demand across the region.