Hainan Airlines has launched a new direct passenger service connecting Brussels, Belgium, with the major western Chinese municipality of Chongqing, significantly bolstering air travel between Europe and Asia. The inaugural flight, which commenced operations on Saturday, November 23, 2025, marks the carrier’s fourth direct link from the Belgian capital to mainland China, adding to existing routes to Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.
The new route, designated as flight HU470, will operate three times weekly, increasing Hainan Airlines’ total weekly passenger services between Brussels and China to seventeen. This expansion aims to enhance bilateral connectivity, facilitating both business and tourism travel.
The addition of the Chongqing service dramatically improves travel efficiency for passengers. For those traveling between Brussels and the burgeoning Chinese metropolis, the direct trajectory slashes the typical trip duration to roughly ten hours. This represents a substantial improvement over previous itineraries that often required arduous transfers, extending travel times to over twenty hours. One passenger on the inaugural flight praised the new service, noting the invaluable reduction in journey time.
Strategic Connectivity Amidst Rising Demand
Airport officials in Brussels view the new connection as a critical strategic development. A representative for the Brussels Airport Company emphasized that the direct flight will significantly enhance travel options for Chinese visitors heading to Europe while offering Belgian travelers improved access to China’s western regions and the broader Asian market.
The heightened connectivity comes as the passenger aviation sector rebounds strongly. Brussels Airport anticipates that overall passenger traffic on routes between Brussels and China will surpass pre-pandemic levels before the close of 2025. This optimistic forecast is partly credited to Beijing’s recent implementation of a visa-free policy for short-term Belgian visitors, a measure designed to stimulate tourism and commercial exchange.
This rapid expansion is part of a broader commitment to deepening ties with Chinese carriers. The airport is actively pursuing further cooperation, with projections suggesting the addition of more direct routes to other Chinese cities could materialize in 2026.
The Rise of Direct Asia Routes
The trend toward direct flights underscores a burgeoning demand for efficient international travel, bypassing traditional transit hubs. The economic importance of Chongqing, a crucial hub for manufacturing, logistics, and finance in western China, makes it a vital destination for European commerce.
For travelers, the expanded network offers tangible benefits:
- Reduced Travel Time: Direct flights save twelve or more hours compared to routed itineraries.
- Convenience: Eliminates the complexities and risks associated with layovers and transfers.
- Wider Access: Provides a new gateway for European tourists to explore China’s interior provinces.
This latest service not only strengthens Hainan Airlines’ presence in Europe but also firmly positions Brussels Airport as a key European access point for a rapidly expanding Chinese market. As global travel continues to revitalize, expect further infrastructural investments focused on simplifying and expediting long-haul international journeys.