Routes Asia Officially Handed Over To 2026 Hosts

Routes Asia, which brings together decision makers from airlines, airports and destinations to define the region’s air route networks, is heading to Xi’an, China from 24-26 March in 2026.

As the 2025 edition of the event drew to a close, Perth Airport and Tourism Western Australia handed over the hosting responsibilities of the event to China West Airport Group.

By consistently uniting decision-makers from the region’s air service development community, Routes Asia has made a real impact on the region’s networks – over half of the world's new air services are connected to meetings at Routes events. VPs and Heads of Network Planning from over 110 carriers are expected to attend Routes Asia in 2026.

As the capital of Shaanxi province, Xi’an was the Eastern terminus of the Silk Road and continues to be an important transport hub for Northern China. Serving one of the world’s most populous areas, Xi’an Xianyang International Airport’s multiyear expansion project has increased the annual passenger handling capacity to 80 million passengers.

Home to six UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites, including the Terracotta Army, Xi’an is widely recognised for its rich cultural heritage and historical importance. It also acts as an important international base of scientific research, education and high-tech industry and manufacturing base in China.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Steven Small, director of Routes, said: “This year’s event saw our largest ever airline attendance and exhibition for a Routes Asia. This highlights the significant role that Routes Asia continues to play in defining air connectivity across the Asia Pacific region.”

Small added: “Hosting Routes Asia 2026 will support the Xian’s objective to strengthen the airport’s existing network in Southeast and North Asia, and highlight the expansion opportunities across Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. With decision makers from the region’s leading and fastest-growing airlines in attendance this is a unique opportunity for Xi’an to expand its route network, attract even more international tourists, increase trade and secure investment.”

Yang Ou, chairman of China West Airport Group, said: “Xi’an is an ancient capital city of thousands of years, and it is the capital city with the most dynasties, the longest time and the greatest influence in Chinese history. China West Airport Group is the second largest large-scale airport management group operating across provinces in China, and currently operate 18 airports in Shaanxi, Ningxia and Qinghai provinces. Xi’an Xianyang International Airport, the core of the China West Airport Group, is one of the top ten international aviation hubs in China, and it is also a complex international aviation hub airport determined by the state to face Central and Eastern Europe, Central and Western Asia and radiate the "the Belt and Road". This year, the construction projects of the third phase of Xi’an Airport will be gradually put into use, which will fully enter a new stage of three-runway operation and achieve a new leap of four-runway operation. In the future, it will be able to meet the security needs of 83 million passengers and 1 million tons of cargo per year. Xi'an will host Routes Asia 2026, it is a high recognition of Xi'an's achievements in the field of aviation. It is also a full affirmation of the efforts made by the China West Airport Group in promoting regional aviation interconnectivity. Taking advantage of the cooperation opportunity of the Routes Asia, China West Airport Group is willing to work with domestic and foreign airlines and civil aviation colleagues to jointly set up the Air Silk Road of the new era.”

Routes Asia 2026 will be held in Xi’an, China, from 24-26 March.