Turkish Airlines said Tuesday it plans to launch scheduled flights to Urumqi in China’s northwest, adding another route as passenger demand between Türkiye and China continues to rise.

In a statement published on Türkiye’s Public Disclosure Platform (KAP), the flag carrier said it will begin operating flights to Urumqi “subject to availability and market conditions,” without giving a start date or frequency.

The move comes as Ankara and Beijing expand aviation links following last year’s decision to raise the number of weekly passenger flights between the two countries from 21 to 49 frequencies. Turkish Airlines has already signaled broader growth plans in China, announcing in 2024 that it would introduce additional services to the country.

The new route also arrives as Türkiye works to make travel easier for Chinese visitors. Ankara recently lifted visa requirements for Chinese citizens, allowing visa-free entry for short-term tourist trips and transit stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period – a step expected to increase tourism flows in both directions.

Turkish Airlines, one of the world’s largest carriers by network reach, has been accelerating expansion as it pushes toward an ambitious long-term target. Chief executive Bilal Ekşi said last month the airline aims to rank among the world’s top five by 2033, when it expects its fleet to reach 813 aircraft.

As of the end of January, Turkish Airlines operated 522 aircraft. The airline said it carried 7.6 million passengers in January with an 84% load factor, marking a 12.4% year-over-year increase.

In December 2024, Turkish Airlines officially earned a Guinness World Record for flying to the highest number of countries, connecting 131.