Chongqing - Ten years after the launch of the China–Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI), Chongqing–Singapore flights now run daily, reflecting growing business travel, tourism, and logistics ties between the two cities.

The Chongqing–Singapore air link has increasingly been viewed as a bellwether for the CCI, which aims to facilitate smoother flows of trade, capital, and people. For airlines, the route has evolved from a niche international connection into a stable corridor supporting commercial exchanges and a growing visitor economy.

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, a key aviation hub supporting air links between western China and Southeast Asia. (Photo/Chongqing Airline)

When the initiative launched in 2015, Chongqing had only about five weekly flights to Singapore, limiting travel and cargo capacity. That changed in 2016, when Chongqing Airlines and other carriers raised frequencies to 17 flights a week—a 240 percent increase that put market demand to the test.

A decade on, airlines said demand has held firm. Chongqing Airlines expanded the route from three weekly flights to daily service, operating over 1,000 round-trip flights and carrying more than 250,000 passengers over ten years.

Industry experts note that these figures reflect broader structural forces beyond aviation. During the same period, Chongqing has signed and implemented 347 government and commercial cooperation projects under the CCI, generating sustained demand for corporate travel and time-sensitive logistics. The airport’s expanding international network and the airline’s route planning have helped position Chongqing as a key gateway linking western China with Southeast Asia.

The evolution of the route is also evident in airline marketing strategies. Chongqing Airlines has introduced onboard service elements designed to turn the flight into a promotional platform, integrating aviation with tourism and rural revitalization. Through in-cabin content, the carrier showcases Chongqing’s cultural attractions and local specialties to Singapore-bound passengers, positioning the city as both a business hub and a travel destination.

Cargo has emerged as another pillar of growth, particularly for agricultural exports where speed is critical. Local products such as Zhongxian oranges are now shipped directly to Singapore, with delivery times of around two days. The model offers Southeast Asian consumers fresher produce from western China while enabling growers to reach overseas markets without multi-stop transfers that can raise costs and reduce quality.

Looking ahead, Chongqing Airlines plans to deepen coordination with Singapore’s aviation hub by adjusting flight schedules to improve onward connections. The carrier will also work with airlines in both countries to develop through-journey options via Singapore, linking Chongqing more seamlessly with destinations around the world.