08 Aug 2025

#2 August 2025: China Aviation Industry Newsletter

Air Astana Signs Codeshare Deal with China Southern Airlines

Air Astana and China Southern Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement on trunk routes between Kazakhstan and China, in a strategic move to enhance connectivity between the two countries.

The agreement covers Air Astana-operated routes from Almaty to Beijing Capital, Urumqi, and Guangzhou, as well as Astana to Beijing.

China Southern Airlines President and CEO Han Wensheng stated:
“The agreement will result in an increase in our service frequencies to Kazakhstan. It is not only a strategic move leveraging both airlines’ strengths, but also a significant step in deepening Belt and Road aviation connectivity between China and Kazakhstan.”

Cathay Pacific Resumes Non-Stop Hong Kong–Brussels Service

Cathay Pacific resumed its Brussels service on 3 August 2025, operating four times weekly using three-class Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The route re-establishes a key direct link between Hong Kong and the heart of Europe, offering enhanced choice and convenience for passengers.

Cathay is operating nearly 100 return flights per week between Hong Kong and Europe during the summer peak season. This includes:

• Five daily flights to London

• Daily flights to Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Manchester, Milan, Paris, and Zurich

• Four weekly flights to Barcelona, Brussels, Madrid, and Munich

• Three weekly flights to Rome

Cathay’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, Lavinia Lau, said:
“We are very pleased to be back in Brussels, directly connecting our home hub with one of Europe’s major political centres and a tourism destination steeped in history and culture. Our new service offers excellent flight timings in both directions, enabling customers to wake up refreshed with a full day ahead whether they are arriving in Brussels or Hong Kong.”

“Cathay has a long history in Europe stretching back more than four decades. This year alone, we have launched services to three new European destinations, with Rome and Munich having already taken off in June. With increased frequencies to other popular cities, we’re making it even easier for customers to travel between Asia and Europe.”

Condor Connects Frankfurt with Sanya, Hainan Island

Condor has launched a new route connecting Frankfurt Airport (FRA) with Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) on Hainan Island, via a stopover in Bangkok (BKK). The service operates three times per week—on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays—during the summer schedule using three-class Airbus A330neo aircraft.

Condor Managing Director and CTO Heiko Holm said:
“With the launch of the Sanya connection, Condor continues the strategic expansion of its long-haul network in Asia. Thanks to close and trusted cooperation with Sanya Phoenix International Airport and the Sanya Tourism Board, we have created an attractive offering for travellers from Europe while also opening new travel opportunities for Chinese guests into our European network.”

Acumen’s Take

On Air Astana–China Southern Codeshare Agreement

This partnership enhances network flexibility for passengers travelling between China and Central Asia, while also supporting broader geopolitical initiatives under the Belt and Road framework. From a strategic perspective, the move strengthens China Southern’s international reach without the need for additional fleet deployment—an efficient route expansion model increasingly favoured by legacy carriers.

On Cathay Pacific’s Resumed Brussels Route

Cathay’s ramp-up of European connectivity—including the resumption of Brussels—signifies a strong rebound in transcontinental premium travel demand. The addition of three new destinations in a single year and the expansion of frequencies across key routes reflect robust fleet utilisation planning. For lessors and asset managers, this growth trajectory supports sustained demand for widebody assets, particularly A350s, over the next several seasons.

On Condor’s Frankfurt–Sanya Launch

Condor’s entry into Sanya highlights the continued relevance of leisure-driven secondary city pairs in long-haul network planning. The Bangkok stopover also suggests an intentional use of triangular routing to optimise aircraft usage and demand capture. For stakeholders observing widebody utilisation and route profitability, this model offers valuable insights into how hybrid holiday carriers are reshaping their long-haul strategy into high-growth Asia-Pacific nodes.

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