China Flights Update — 29 June 2026

flights • 29 June 2026

Chinese airlines are launching multiple new international flight routes to China, with **Shanghai Pudong** set to connect directly to **Adelaide**, **Stockholm**, **Tbilisi**, **Dublin**, and **Cheongju** (South Korea) between June and July 2026[1][3]. Additionally, **China Eastern Airlines** has inaugurated its second Swiss route, flying from Shanghai Pudong to **Zurich**, while **Air China** has opened new direct services from **Beijing Daxing** to **Frankfurt** and **Milan** over the past two months[1][3]. For Australian travellers, the most significant development is the planned direct route from **Shanghai Pudong to Adelaide**, which will enhance connectivity between China and Australia[1]. Other new routes include **Hainan Airlines** linking **Haikou** and **Chongqing** to **Madrid** (Spain), and **China Southern Airlines** resuming the **Guangzhou–Urumqi–Frankfurt** route[1][3]. **Capital Airlines** has also launched Beijing’s first non-stop service to **Lisbon** (Portugal), and **Air China** will begin direct flights to **Venice** starting **2 July 2026**[3][4]. During the summer–autumn 2026 aviation season, China’s international flight network will span **86 countries**, with **191 airlines** operating **21,047 international flights per week**—a **1.8% year-on-year increase**[1]. These expansions reflect China’s steady scaling of its global aviation map, moving from single-point connections to a nationwide, grid-linked route network[1][3]. *According to China Travel News and Global Times, these new routes are part of a broader strategy to boost international tourism and business travel to China.*[1][3]

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