{
  "id": 7933938,
  "title": "China airports climb global-connectivity ranking as international routes rise: OAG report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/china-airports-climb-global-connectivity-ranking-as-international",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-17T03:00:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3367718/china-airports-climb-global-connectivity-ranking-international-routes-rise-oag-report"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chinese airports have surged ahead in the global connectivity rankings, according to the latest report by aviation data firm OAG. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, situated in southern China, experienced the most significant improvement, moving up 17 places to claim the 19th position. This leap is attributed to the opening of its third terminal in October, which has bolstered air connections within the region, including Hong Kong and Macau. The airport now offers 146 international routes operated by 80 airlines.\n\nShanghai Pudong International Airport rose to the 14th place from 19th, while Beijing Capital International Airport climbed 10 spots to 44th place. Hong Kong International Airport improved by two places to 20th. The ranking is based on the ratio of possible scheduled international connections to the number of destinations served. Istanbul Airport from Turkey topped the list, moving up from the second place in the previous year, displacing London Heathrow Airport.\n\nOAG's chief analyst, John Grant, explained that Chinese airports have broadened their international networks since the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on domestic networks in a cautious manner initially. In the past two years, new routes have been launched to Europe from China, and Chinese airlines have returned to Australia in large volumes as bilateral relations improved. Each new international route has a multiplier effect on a hub's ranking position, making this a key factor in the rankings.\n\nGrant also noted that airlines in China have been benefiting from increased interest in outbound tourism, with travelers seeking experience-based trips to far-flung destinations like Egypt and Norway. However, megahub airports in other countries, such as those in the Middle East, have seen cuts to the number of flights handled due to the US-Israeli war on Iran and reduced services by overseas carriers in that region. Despite this, the Asia-Pacific region accounts for eight of the world's top 20 hubs, a significant increase compared to previous years.",
  "summary": "Among the world’s most connected airports, Guangzhou’s hub has posted the fastest rise through the latest rankings, according to an annual list compiled by aviation data firm OAG. And overall, Chinese hubs stood out as carriers expanded their international networks with added flights. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in southern China jumped to 19th place, from 36th last year, in OAG’s…",
  "key_points": [
    "Shanghai Pudong International Airport rose to 14th place from 19th position.",
    "Istanbul Airport topped the list, moving up from second place in the previous year."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Chinese airports' rise in global connectivity rankings signals a strategic shift in international air travel, with Chinese carriers expanding routes to Europe, Australia, and beyond, driven by renewed outbound tourism interest.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}