What Happened
Chinese Flag Carrier Expands Middle East Network With New Service
Air China has launched its first new international route of 2026, connecting Beijing Capital International Airport with Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport. The nonstop service, operated by a Boeing 787 widebody, carried 278 passengers on its inaugural flight and will run four times weekly. This new route establishes the first direct air link between the Chinese and Emirati capitals operated by a Chinese airline, providing an alternative to existing one-stop itineraries. The launch represents a strategic addition to Air China’s international footprint as Chinese airlines rebuild their pre-pandemic long-haul networks, and was first reported by AeroTime.