Turkish Airlines to Raise Weekly Flights to China from October 26, 2025

(TÜRKIYE) Turkish Airlines will add ten weekly flights to its China network from the start of the IATA Northern Winter 2025/26 season, lifting its schedule from 21 to 31 weekly flights as of October 26, 2025. CEO Bilal Ekşi announced the move on August 12, saying the carrier will operate 10 weekly to Beijing, 11 to Shanghai, and 10 to Guangzhou. Turkish media including Daily Sabah, Anadolu Agency, and Yeni Şafak reported the update and the city-by-city split, confirming the effective date aligned with industry timetable changes.

The increase follows the May 2024 China–Türkiye air services MoU, which expanded the bilateral cap from 21 to 49 weekly passenger flights per side, the broadest opening in 15 years. Under that framework, Turkish Airlines also received rights to three additional Chinese cities—Chengdu, Urumqi, and Xi’an—though the airline’s first step is to boost frequencies on the existing three trunk routes rather than launch new points immediately. ChinaTravelNews described the MoU as a major turning point in bilateral aviation ties and noted that two-way demand has rebounded faster than expected.

Market data underline the timing. Two-way China–Türkiye origin-and-destination traffic reached 555,000 passengers in 2024, nearly double 2023 and above the 449,000 recorded in 2019. Chinese arrivals to Türkiye grew 65.1% in 2024, supporting a plan to add seats before peak winter travel and Lunar New Year flows. Five airlines now serve the market—Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Sichuan Airlines, and Turkish Airlines—creating more choice for travelers while easing pressure on fares.

Policy backdrop and market recovery

Before the MoU, the bilateral quota was essentially maxed out. Turkish Airlines used all 21 of its permitted weekly flights to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, while Chinese carriers spread their 21 across five cities, including Chengdu and Xi’an. The May 2024 agreement reset the ceiling, opening room for growth up to 49 per side. Turkish Airlines’ move to 31 weekly flights is an interim step that leaves 18 weekly still available under the Turkish side of the framework.

Schedule work is already underway. Aeroroutes’ tracking of Northern Winter 2025/26 filings shows Turkish Airlines adjusting long-haul networks across continents for the 26 Oct 2025–29 Mar 2026 season. While those summaries highlight many routes, the China increases were flagged directly by the CEO and echoed by Turkish press coverage. Detailed flight numbers, operating days, and aircraft types for Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are expected to appear in the booking engine as inventory for NW25 fully loads.

The airline says more flights will provide better day-of-week coverage and more connection options over Istanbul. For Chinese travelers heading onward to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the United States 🇺🇸, or Canada 🇨🇦, Istanbul often offers competitive one-stop itineraries. ChinaTravelNews has noted Istanbul’s role as a value hub for Chinese passengers bound for Europe, a factor that could strengthen as seat supply improves.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, when carriers add capacity on long-haul city pairs, travelers typically see improved seat access and steadier pricing, especially around holidays. That pattern may help families, tour groups, and students planning autumn and winter trips between China and Türkiye.

What the October change means for travelers and businesses

For people booking trips on or after October 26, 2025, the key changes are straightforward:

• More seats and frequencies: 10 weekly to Beijing, 11 to Shanghai, 10 to Guangzhou.
• Better connections via Istanbul: More banks of flights can shorten layovers and unlock same-day connections to secondary cities.
• Potential fare relief: Added capacity can support more competitive pricing, though final fares will depend on demand and fuel costs.

Travel planning tips:

1. Search dates from Oct 26, 2025 onward to see the added frequencies. If specific days or times matter to you, check the schedule again closer to departure in case minor filing tweaks occur.
2. If you’re coordinating with visa appointments or residence permit renewals, leave buffer time. Extra flights can help if you need to shift travel dates at short notice.
3. Students and workers with onward travel to Europe or North America should review minimum connection times at Istanbul Airport and consider through-ticketing to protect connections.

The wider economy stands to gain as well. More lift supports tour operators targeting the Chinese market, helps small exporters who rely on belly cargo, and gives corporate travel managers more flexibility to route teams through Istanbul. For both countries, increased people-to-people contact can reinforce trade and education links built up over the past decade.

Operational distribution and outlook

Operationally, the distribution after October 26 is simple to read:

Turkish Airlines has not yet published launch dates for the newly permitted Chinese points—Chengdu, Urumqi, and Xi’an—under the MoU. As of mid-August 2025, the carrier is prioritizing frequency growth on the three largest markets. With demand still rising and bilateral headroom remaining, additional increases in 2026 are plausible, subject to fleet availability and how both sides use the 49-per-week allowance.

For official regulatory context, travelers and industry stakeholders can monitor Türkiye’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation at https://www.shgm.gov.tr/, which posts air transport notices and bilateral updates. Airline-specific advisories and timetables will appear on the Turkish Airlines press channels and booking platforms as the winter season nears.

How to verify details as you plan

• Check the Turkish Airlines website and app for real-time inventory and timetables once NW25 is fully loaded.
• Watch for Aeroroutes updates that track seasonal filing changes across long-haul networks.
• If you’re booking complex itineraries that include regional connections beyond China or Türkiye, consider allowing extra time on the first week of the season change, when some airports adjust slot timings.

Industry observers say the October build-up marks a measured approach: rather than spreading thin across new Chinese cities from day one, the carrier is consolidating strength on Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou—routes that feed heavy connecting traffic through Istanbul. That strategy can stabilize schedules through winter while Turkish Airlines evaluates when to open Chengdu, Urumqi, and Xi’an.

For now, travelers can expect more flights and easier planning from late October 2025 onward.