China Southern Airlines is preparing to significantly expand its Türkiye flight network in the 2026 summer season. In addition to the previously planned frequency increase on Istanbul services from Beijing, the airline is now also implementing substantial capacity increases on the Guangzhou and Urumqi routes.
Beijing Daxing – Istanbul: Increased to four weekly flights
China Southern increased the number of weekly flights on the Beijing Daxing (PKX) – Istanbul (IST) route from three to four as of 23 March 2026. Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft will be used on this route.
The flight schedule has been planned as follows:
- CZ679 PKX 00:30 – 06:30 IST | 787-9 | x3,5,7
- CZ680 IST 16:00 – 06:00+1 PKX | 787-9 | x3,5,7
Officials state that the application for the frequency increase on the Beijing route was submitted in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Major leap on the Guangzhou – Istanbul route: Ten weekly flights
The airline’s most notable expansion has taken place on the Guangzhou (CAN) – Istanbul route. As of 30 March 2026, the number of weekly flights has been increased from three to ten. This increase exceeds the previously planned capacity of seven weekly flights.
Planned services:
- CZ8065 CAN 00:10 – 06:15 IST | 787-9 | D
- CZ8089 CAN 16:05 – 22:10 IST | 787-9 | 1,4,6
- CZ8090 IST 00:30 – 15:25 CAN | 787-9 | 2,5,7
- CZ8066 IST 16:00 – 06:55+1 CAN | 787-9 | D
Urumqi – Istanbul: Weekly flights increased to three
China Southern is also expanding on the Urumqi (URC) – Istanbul route. As of 24 March 2026, the number of weekly flights on this route has been increased from one to three. Boeing 787-8 aircraft are planned to operate these flights.
Urumqi route flight plan:
- CZ6035 URC 20:05 – 22:15 IST | 787-8 | 2,4,6
- CZ6036 IST 00:50 – 11:55 URC | 787-8 | 3,5,7
Istanbul Airport’s Asia connectivity is strengthening
With these plans, China Southern Airlines will significantly increase its capacity to Istanbul Airport from China’s northern, southern and western regions. The increased frequencies are expected to further stimulate Türkiye–China traffic in both business and tourism segments.
