The three-day Routes Asia 2026 concluded in Xi'an on April 16, marking a pivotal boost to the city's development as an international aviation hub and a key gateway connecting the East and the West.

This industry gala attracted 92 airlines, 128 airport authorities, and 32 government and tourism institutions from 52 countries.

Routes Asia 2026 is held in Xi'an. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

Xi'an, the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, demonstrated to the world its ambition and strength in building an international aviation hub backed by complete aviation infrastructure, enhanced hub capacity, and profound cultural heritage.

The event has shown Xi'an's aviation network advantages. Xi'an received 327 million domestic and international tourists in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 6.7 percent, with its total tourism revenue exceeding 400 billion yuan ($58.6 billion), up 7.1 percent.

Passenger flow at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport maintained a strong growth momentum in the first two months of 2026, notching 320,000 inbound and outbound passengers for a year-on-year increase of 7.1 percent. China Eastern Airlines' international through-ticket passengers reached 34,000, surging 1.2-fold, and international-to-international transit passengers achieved a breakthrough from zero.

The airport has resumed and launched 62 international (regional) passenger routes in total, connecting 54 major cities in 26 countries, including 36 destinations in 20 countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It has developed into a comprehensive international aviation hub serving as a regional gateway to Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Central and Western Asia.

Hosting Routes Asia 2026 has also delivered tangible and far-reaching impacts on Xi'an's aviation and economic growth.

At the opening ceremony of Routes Asia 2026, Xi'an's Airport New City signed cooperation agreements with CMA CGM Air Cargo, Camex Airlines, Georgian Airways, and Geosky, launching five new international all-cargo routes. It also signed the international air transfer (distribution) center project with Sinotrans Logistics and the western airport intelligent intermodal transport hub project with SF Express, empowering industrial development to strengthen the airport economy industrial chain.

The event attracts many participants. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

Routes Asia has been held in various cities including Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Seoul, with each host city gaining extensive international attention thanks to the event.

After Routes Asia 2012 was staged in Chengdu, Sichuan, the city launched direct intercontinental flights to Australia, North America, and Africa. Through Routes Asia 2015, Yunnan province further improved and consolidated its multi-dimensional air route network connecting various countries and regions in Asia.

Event attendees engage in discussions. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

Steven Small, vice-president of Routes at Informa, said in an interview, "I believe choosing Xi'an as the host city this year has been an excellent experience for all delegates. This is my third visit to Xi'an, and I am very fond of this city. What impresses me deeply is not only its tourism and culture, but also its industry and manufacturing sector."

Hosting Routes Asia in Xi'an represents a win-win synergy between the city and the aviation industry. It will accelerate the expansion of Xi'an's air route network and the agglomeration of its airport economy, injecting strong momentum into urban development.

It will also optimize the structure of international tourist sources, promote the in-depth integration of "aviation + culture and tourism", enhance Xi'an's international influence, and turn this millennium-old city into an international gateway connecting the East and the West.