Over 6,000 international flights boost inbound tourism to China in 2025 

(ECNS) -- China's international passenger flight network expanded in 2025, with both flight frequency and passenger volume seeing significant growth, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said.

According to CAAC data, Chinese and foreign airlines are operating an average of 6,428 international passenger flights weekly, marking a 25.4% year-on-year increase. Among them, Chinese carriers operate 4,470 flights, up 31.4% year-on-year, while foreign airlines operate 1,958, up 13.6% year-on-year.

Flight volume between China and countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has steadily increased, now accounting for approximately 72% of the total.

Moreover, China's international flight network now covers 79 countries with improved global connectivity, said the CAAC.

The growing international route network has created convenient new travel options for global travelers. Coupled with favorable exit and entry policies, China has experienced explosive growth in inbound tourism this year, the department noted.

For example, as a top inbound destination, Shanghai has received over 1.8 million international visitors in 2025, marking a 48% increase compared to the same period last year.

According to Zhu Xiaoxiang, an official at Shanghai Border Checkpoint, most of this year's inbound foreign travelers came to China for tourism purposes. Approximately 950,000 international visitors have entered through Shanghai ports under the visa-free policy, representing a 2.5-fold year-on-year increase.

Passenger traffic to Northeast Asia, West Asia, Central Asia, Europe, and Africa has increased by 20%, 91%, 233%, 71%, and 241%, respectively, compared to five years ago.

Flight volumes to 35 countries have now surpassed pre-pandemic levels.

While traditional networks between China and Asia and Europe continue to improve, new routes to Latin America, the South Pacific, and Africa are steadily developing, significantly enhancing global connectivity.

Additionally, international flights operated beyond first-tier cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, continue to increase, boosting tourism income.

In February this year, Zhangjiajie launched a new direct flight route to Penang, Malaysia, followed by another direct route to Sabah in March. Official data shows Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport has handled 152,000 international and regional passengers per year-to-date, marking a 7.64% year-on-year increase.

In March, Dali in Yunnan Province launched flights to Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam. In April, Huangshan Airport in Huangshan City, Anhui Province, launched its route to Busan, South Korea.

These new routes reflect a growing trend among international travelers spontaneously exploring China's diverse landscapes.

(By Zhang Dongfang)