Air France-KLM has signalled rising confidence in travel between China and Europe as passenger demand and trade ties strengthen despite geopolitical and operational headwinds. The Franco-Dutch airline group said strong inbound bookings and a healthier revenue mix from Asia in 2025 point to sustained recovery on China-Europe routes.
China-Europe travel market shows resilience
The group reported a 6 per cent year-on-year increase in unit revenue from its Asian market and a passenger load factor of 89 per cent in the first three quarters of 2025. Steven van Wijk, Greater China general manager at Air France-KLM, described the figures as “very healthy” and said the carrier would remain flexible to capture new opportunities with its Chinese partners.
China’s visa-free policy for travellers from more than 30 European countries has helped revive both business and leisure travel. The airline has seen a notable rise in business-class bookings on flights from China to Europe and South America, while leisure travellers are increasingly taking independent, longer stays and exploring second-tier European cities.
That trend aligns with Air France-KLM’s extended European network, which includes smaller destinations beyond the main hubs. Before the pandemic, China was among the group’s largest markets, served not only from Beijing and Shanghai but also from cities such as Chengdu, Hangzhou and Wuhan.
Paris and other European capitals remain top choices for Chinese tourists, and the recent high-level engagement between France and China has reinforced commercial ties. During French President Emmanuel Macron’s early December visit to Beijing, both sides signed cooperation agreements covering agriculture, nuclear energy, investment, aviation and education. Bilateral trade between China and France reached US$68.75 billion in the first ten months of 2025, up 4.1 per cent year on year, while two-way investment exceeded US$27 billion according to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Van Wijk, who relocated to Beijing, expressed long-term commitment to the Chinese market and confidence in two-way trade relations. “I’m optimistic about the future prospects. I’m also highly confident in the Chinese market and the two-way trade relations,” he said, adding that the airline is ready to expand capacity when operational conditions improve.
However, the group still faces practical constraints. A major barrier to returning to pre-pandemic levels is the ban on overflying Russia, which has added fuel costs and roughly two hours to many China-Europe rotations. Chinese carriers, which can use Russian airspace, have an operational advantage on some routes, and Air France-KLM acknowledges it has lost limited market share as a result.
For the current winter season the group operates flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Taipei. Management said it plans to add frequencies and launch additional services once overflight restrictions ease, stressing that the company is prepared to scale up rapidly to meet demand.
Industry data bolster the airline’s outlook. The International Air Transport Association reported that the Asia-Pacific region remains the largest contributor to global traffic growth, with load factors projected to reach a record 84.4 per cent in 2026. China and India are expected to lead regional expansion as tourism and expanding middle classes drive demand.
Air France-KLM’s combination of network depth across Europe and a focus on both leisure and premium travellers positions it to benefit from stronger China-Europe travel flows, provided operational hurdles are resolved and geopolitical conditions remain stable.
Key Takeaways:
- China-Europe travel market shows steady recovery, helped by China’s visa-free policy for over 30 European nations.
- Air France-KLM reports higher unit revenue from Asia and an 89% passenger load factor in 2025.
- Growing China-France trade and recent bilateral agreements underpin longer-term airline and investment prospects.
- Operational constraints, notably the Russia overflight ban, remain a short-term hurdle.
