Shanghai Airports Enter 2026 Winter-Spring Flight Season as Pudong Strengthens Intercontinental Connectivity

From October 25, 2026 to March 27, 2027, Shanghai's airports usher in the 2026 winter-spring flight season.

The new season is marked by improved intercontinental connectivity and denser domestic express routes, catering to both warm-weather escapes and ice-and-snow tourism. Daily planned flights at Shanghai's airports total 2,511, up 3.8% year on year, including 1,709 at Pudong Airport and 802 at Hongqiao Airport, as the hub route network is continually refined, transit services are optimized, and Shanghai's goal of becoming a world-renowned tourist city is supported.

As the main platform of Shanghai's international aviation hub, Shanghai International Airport Co.,Ltd. (ASX: 600009) further enhances Pudong Airport's intercontinental reach this season. A new route to Algiers, the capital of Algeria, is planned, while flight frequencies will be increased to Frankfurt in Germany, Auckland in New Zealand, Sydney in Australia, Singapore, Bangkok in Thailand, Jeju in South Korea, and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

Among these, the world's longest single-journey route—Shanghai Pudong–Auckland, New Zealand–Buenos Aires, Argentina—will be further intensified, rising from two flights per week to four flights per week starting December 5. Operated by China Eastern Airlines, the route builds a more convenient air bridge for economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between China and Argentina and the wider South American region.

To meet winter-spring travel demand, Shanghai's airports will add flights to more than 30 domestic destinations, including Harbin, Shenyang, Kunming, and Xiamen, meeting travel needs for ice-and-snow tourism, warm-weather escapes, and family visits.

Ahead of the season change, the international-to-international transit hall at Pudong Airport's Terminal 2 was upgraded and put into use, with its area expanded from 170 square meters to 336 square meters. It is equipped with 14 manual counters and multiple self-service customs and border inspection gates, supporting international-to-international baggage through-check for 10 airlines. The international transit hall at Terminal 1 continues to improve its functions, with five airlines including China Eastern, Shanghai Airlines, Delta, Air France, and KLM providing transit services.