China’s flag-carrier Air China has chosen Brussels for its latest European expansion, inaugurating direct services from both Beijing and Chengdu during the first week of the 2026 summer–autumn timetable. The announcement, made on 29 March 2026, forms part of a broader upgrade that will see Chinese airlines operate more than 21,000 international flights per week this season, up 1.8 % year-on-year. For Belgium, the twin routes restore non-stop connectivity with two of China’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas and come just in time for the October start of the EU–China Year of Tourism.
![Air China Adds Two Direct Routes to Brussels as Summer–Autumn Flight Season Begins]()
Travellers eager to seize these new connections can streamline their visa paperwork through VisaHQ, which provides step-by-step assistance for both Belgian Schengen visas and Chinese entry permits. The firm’s Brussels portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) allows users to verify requirements, upload documents and arrange courier pick-ups in minutes, letting business and leisure passengers focus on their trip rather than embassy queues.
Brussels Airport’s cargo community also anticipates higher freight volumes for e-commerce, pharmaceuticals and perishables, given Chengdu’s position as a logistics hub for western China. Corporate mobility managers will welcome shorter door-to-door travel times for Belgian executives heading to China’s southwest technology corridor, while relocation specialists expect renewed interest from Chinese investors exploring the Benelux as a single market. The flights complement existing Shanghai–Brussels services operated by Hainan Airlines and should boost seat capacity on the busy Beijing–EU lane by 15 %. Introductory fares start at €620 return in economy, with five weekly rotations planned on each route using Airbus A350 aircraft configured for 33 business-class and 283 economy seats. The move underscores the rebound of long-haul traffic at Brussels Airport, whose 2025 passenger numbers were still 9 % below pre-pandemic levels. Airport operator brussels airport company says a further five long-haul launches are in negotiation, partly driven by the EU’s new Entry/Exit System going live in April 2026, which will streamline biometric checks for non-EU travellers. Travel agencies advise corporate clients to book early as Chinese outbound demand typically peaks around Labour Day (1 May) and Golden Week (1 October).
Travellers eager to seize these new connections can streamline their visa paperwork through VisaHQ, which provides step-by-step assistance for both Belgian Schengen visas and Chinese entry permits. The firm’s Brussels portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) allows users to verify requirements, upload documents and arrange courier pick-ups in minutes, letting business and leisure passengers focus on their trip rather than embassy queues.
Brussels Airport’s cargo community also anticipates higher freight volumes for e-commerce, pharmaceuticals and perishables, given Chengdu’s position as a logistics hub for western China. Corporate mobility managers will welcome shorter door-to-door travel times for Belgian executives heading to China’s southwest technology corridor, while relocation specialists expect renewed interest from Chinese investors exploring the Benelux as a single market. The flights complement existing Shanghai–Brussels services operated by Hainan Airlines and should boost seat capacity on the busy Beijing–EU lane by 15 %. Introductory fares start at €620 return in economy, with five weekly rotations planned on each route using Airbus A350 aircraft configured for 33 business-class and 283 economy seats. The move underscores the rebound of long-haul traffic at Brussels Airport, whose 2025 passenger numbers were still 9 % below pre-pandemic levels. Airport operator brussels airport company says a further five long-haul launches are in negotiation, partly driven by the EU’s new Entry/Exit System going live in April 2026, which will streamline biometric checks for non-EU travellers. Travel agencies advise corporate clients to book early as Chinese outbound demand typically peaks around Labour Day (1 May) and Golden Week (1 October).
