Home » AIRLINE NEWS » Air China Fuels China-Belgium Tourism Fire: Epic 11-Hour Link From Sichuan Spice To Belgian Bliss!
Published on
March 26, 2026
The experience of traveling from the foggy bamboo forests of Chengdu’s panda sanctuary to the chocolate-infused beauty of Brussels’ Grand Place can be completed within an 11-hour time frame. Air China has fulfilled this aspiration by establishing direct flights which connect Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (CTU) with Brussels Airport (BRU) starting from 26 March, 2026. The new route which operates as Chengdu’s twelfth direct passenger connection to Europe will enhance travel between China and Belgium while attracting visitors who enjoy food and nature and cultural exploration.
Operated by Air China’s Southwest Branch on the spacious Airbus A330-300, the service offers three weekly round trips on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The inaugural flight CA843 achieved a stellar 95 percent load factor outbound, with the return at 85 percent, signalling robust demand as confirmed on Air China’s official site.
Slicing Travel Time, Forging Stronger Ties
Previously, journeys from Chengdu to Brussels demanded gruelling transfers exceeding 17 hours. Now, this non-stop aerial corridor slashes that to just 11 hours, streamlining economic trade, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people connections. Air China officials noted that the route builds on an existing all-cargo service, creating a dual-track system for passengers and freight, enhancing Belgium’s access to Sichuan’s exports while funneling European visitors to Chengdu’s UNESCO gastronomy gems.
From Air China’s perspective, this launch underscores its strategy to elevate Chengdu as a global aviation hub. The airline’s website highlights how such intercontinental routes amplify Southwest China’s connectivity, with Chengdu now boasting 19 intercontinental passenger links, including Frankfurt, London and Paris totalling nearly 40 weekly European flights. This expansion has propelled Chengdu’s international and regional direct routes to 85, fortifying aviation ties that directly fuel tourism growth.
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Tourism Boom: Pandas, Hotpots and Belgian Charms
Air China’s timely addition arrives amid Chengdu’s inbound tourism surge. In 2025, the city welcomed 2.38 million overseas visitors, up 44.3 percent year-on-year, with 77,000 during the 2026 Spring Festival, a 47.2 percent jump. Travellers now flock to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, dubbed the City of Pandas, alongside spicy hotpot feasts, mapo tofu, and Jinli Street’s vibrant night markets, once hailed by CNN as one of the world’s most beautiful streets.
The route uniquely bridges these treasures with Brussels’ must-sees: the fairy-tale Grand Place, the quirky Atomium, and the historic Royal Palace. Families can pair panda encounters with Manneken Pis adventures, while luxury seekers blend Sichuan spice with Belgian waffles. Air China is enhancing these ties by spotlighting how the flight eases access for Belgian tourists to nearby gems like Jiuzhai Valley’s turquoise lakes and Xiling Snow Mountain’s slopes.
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Chengdu’s Tourism Welcome Mat
To lure international guests, Chengdu has rolled out visitor-friendly upgrades. Over 6,000 English-trained taxi drivers ease navigation, while Xiling Snow Mountain’s platform supports 24-language translations and 29 currencies. Jinli Street’s Open Chengdu base features 300 bilingual signs, self-service ticketing, and VISA acceptance at 50+ spots. Tax perks include instant refunds at 600+ stores, overseas e-wallet payments, and subsidies up to 400 yuan for transit passengers at Chengdu Eastern New Area, covering hotels, vouchers, and rail tickets.
The Times has praised Chengdu as a top China stop, blending panda magic with gastronomic delights and temple-side street foods.
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Bottom Line
Air China’s new Chengdu to Brussels route marks the beginning of a special period which enables travelers to develop real relationships through experiences that range from playing with Chengdu’s pandas to exploring the Grand Place of Brussels during nighttime. The route establishes a connection between China and Belgium which creates permanent links between their aviation and tourism industries because it will increase visitor traffic and enable shared dining experiences and cultural performances.
The growing popularity of Chengdu’s attractions together with Brussels’ draw will create an influx of custom-made trips which include family panda expeditions and Atomium visits and upscale vacations that feature Sichuan spice. Air China has opened the path to global travel which now proceeds through an 11-hour flight that connects different parts of the world.
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