China’s flag carrier Air China confirmed that it will launch daily Beijing–Brussels flights on 24 March 2026 and thrice-weekly Chengdu–Brussels services two days later. The move pits the Star Alliance airline directly against Hainan Airlines, which has dominated China-Belgium traffic since 2018.
The new routes will raise the number of mainland Chinese cities with direct links to the EU capital to five and are expected to restore pre-pandemic visitor volumes by late 2026. Belgian exporters in the life-sciences and perishables sectors also welcome the extra belly-cargo space. Current China-origin arrivals are still 21 % below 2019 levels, according to Brussels Airport.
![Air China Announces Beijing and Chengdu Non-Stops to Brussels, Intensifying China–Belgium Competition]()
Corporate-travel buyers should brace for aggressive fare wars: analysts predict economy return fares dipping below €550 during the launch window. Air China plans to deploy Boeing 787-9s featuring 30 lie-flat business-class seats, targeting EU-institution and diplomatic traffic. Hainan is likely to respond with promotional bundles for its Brussels-based corporate accounts.
For Chinese professionals planning trips to Belgium, online specialist VisaHQ can simplify the Schengen-visa process and track document requirements in real time. Its dedicated Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) offers step-by-step guidance, courier options and live support, helping companies avoid the administrative snags that often accompany sudden fare sales and newly opened routes.
Slot choice was decisive. Brussels Airport’s flexible slot pool and efficient turnaround standards allowed Air China to secure daytime arrivals that feed onward connections to other EU capitals. Travel-document specialists recommend early Schengen-visa planning for Chinese delegations to avoid delays under the new EES regime.
The new routes will raise the number of mainland Chinese cities with direct links to the EU capital to five and are expected to restore pre-pandemic visitor volumes by late 2026. Belgian exporters in the life-sciences and perishables sectors also welcome the extra belly-cargo space. Current China-origin arrivals are still 21 % below 2019 levels, according to Brussels Airport.
Corporate-travel buyers should brace for aggressive fare wars: analysts predict economy return fares dipping below €550 during the launch window. Air China plans to deploy Boeing 787-9s featuring 30 lie-flat business-class seats, targeting EU-institution and diplomatic traffic. Hainan is likely to respond with promotional bundles for its Brussels-based corporate accounts.
For Chinese professionals planning trips to Belgium, online specialist VisaHQ can simplify the Schengen-visa process and track document requirements in real time. Its dedicated Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) offers step-by-step guidance, courier options and live support, helping companies avoid the administrative snags that often accompany sudden fare sales and newly opened routes.
Slot choice was decisive. Brussels Airport’s flexible slot pool and efficient turnaround standards allowed Air China to secure daytime arrivals that feed onward connections to other EU capitals. Travel-document specialists recommend early Schengen-visa planning for Chinese delegations to avoid delays under the new EES regime.
