Singapore’s Changi Airport is significantly expanding its flight capacity to mainland China for the upcoming Lunar New Year travel season, coordinating with six carriers to operate over 600 additional flights between February 1 and March 8, 2026. This surge represents more than double the supplementary flights offered during the comparable 2025 period, facilitating travel across 15 major and secondary Chinese destinations and underscoring China’s critical role as one of Singapore’s largest travel markets, enhanced by visa-free access and 37 direct city connections.
Airline Coalition Delivers Record Capacity
The collaborative effort involves six airlines—Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Loong Air, Spring Airlines, and Xiamen Airlines—to manage the expected high demand. This coalition taps into Singapore’s robust bilateral travel relationship with China, a market recently bolstered by streamlined immigration procedures.
Leading the charge in added flight capacity are the major full-service carriers: Air China, China Eastern, and Xiamen Airlines, each contributing over 140 additional services. The extra flights cover a spectrum of traveler preferences, ranging from premium full-service options to economical budget travel alternatives provided by airlines like Spring Airlines and Loong Air.
The flight expansion spans prominent hubs like Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chongqing, while also introducing supplementary services to several inland and emerging cities. Notably, this year marks the first time that several destinations—including Nanchang, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Wuhan, and Zhengzhou—will benefit from special holiday season flights, significantly broadening Changi’s reach across China.
The 15 Chinese cities linked to Changi by these additional flights are:
- Changsha
- Chengdu
- Chongqing
- Guangzhou
- Hangzhou
- Hefei
- Nanchang
- Nanjing
- Ningbo
- Shanghai
- Wenzhou
- Wuhan
- Xi’an
- Xiamen
- Zhengzhou
Enhancing Airport Operations for Peak Travel
To support the extended itinerary and anticipated late-night operational surge, Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Jewel Changi Airport are implementing various enhanced services throughout the festive period.
Travelers departing during this busy time can utilize extended early check-in facilities available at Terminals 1 and 3. For passengers seeking convenience and comfort, the Changi Lounge will operate 24 hours a day, offering a continuous buffet service. Additionally, the iconic HSBC Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi Airport will extend its operating hours, displaying nightly light and water shows until midnight, offering a memorable spectacle for arriving and departing passengers. These operational adjustments are designed to manage passenger flow efficiently and enhance the overall travel experience during the holiday peak.
This significant increase in flight frequency demonstrates both Changi’s commitment to facilitating peak holiday travel and the strengthening connectivity between Singapore and diverse regional markets in China. As global travel continues to rebound, this robust logistical effort solidifies Singapore’s position as a key regional aviation hub.
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