Qatar Airways China Southern Expand Codeshare for Asia Pacific Growth

Strategic Aviation Alliance Expansion: Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines Strengthen Partnership Amid Asia-Pacific Growth

The recent expansion of the partnership between Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines marks a pivotal moment in the evolving landscape of global aviation, particularly within the dynamic Asia-Pacific region. Announced in September 2025, the enhanced codeshare agreement is strategically timed to coincide with China’s Golden Week, a peak travel period, underscoring both airlines’ commitment to capturing a growing share of international and outbound Chinese travel.

This partnership does more than simply add new routes; it reflects broader trends in commercial aviation, such as the resurgence of international travel demand, the rise of Asia-Pacific as an aviation powerhouse, and the increasing significance of strategic alliances. By leveraging their complementary strengths, both carriers aim to address shifting market dynamics, financial realities, and the growing need for seamless connectivity between China, the Middle East, and beyond.

As the aviation industry anticipates record revenues and passenger numbers in 2025, the Qatar Airways–China Southern Airlines alliance provides a compelling case study in how targeted collaboration, timed with major travel events and supported by robust infrastructure and loyalty integration, can drive growth and resilience in a competitive post-pandemic market.

Partnership Expansion and Strategic Timing

In September 2025, Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines announced a significant expansion of their partnership, introducing new codeshare flights between Beijing Daxing International Airport and Doha, effective from October 16, 2025. This move is specifically aligned with China’s Golden Week holiday (October 1–7), a period that traditionally sees a surge in outbound travel by Chinese citizens. The three weekly direct flights between Beijing and Doha represent China Southern’s second non-stop Chinese gateway to the Qatari capital, building on previous codeshare arrangements from Guangzhou.

The enhanced agreement extends beyond the Beijing-Doha route. China Southern will place its “CZ” code on Qatar Airways-operated flights to 15 additional destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, including major cities such as Amman, Athens, Barcelona, Cairo, Dar es Salaam, Madrid, and Munich. Conversely, Qatar Airways will continue to place its “QR” code on China Southern flights within China, subject to regulatory approval, broadening access to cities like Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai.

This timing is no coincidence. According to recent travel data, outbound accommodation searches by Chinese travelers for the Golden Week period in 2025 are nearly four times higher than during the same window in 2024. Furthermore, travel budgets are rising: nearly a quarter of Chinese travelers plan to spend over CNY50,000 (approximately USD 7,000) on a single trip, while almost half expect to spend more than CNY25,000 (USD 3,500). The partnership is thus well-positioned to capitalize on what is expected to be a post-pandemic high in outbound Chinese travel, with estimates of 8–10 million travelers during Golden Week alone.

“Qatar Airways and China Southern have established a partnership that continues to set new benchmarks in the industry. This latest expansion ensures that every Qatar Airways route to China is now accessible to China Southern Airlines’ passengers, underlining our long-term commitment to a market that is integral to our growth and connectivity.”

— Thierry Antinori, Chief Commercial Officer, Qatar Airways

Financial Performance and Market Position

The financial context of this partnership reveals a contrast between the two airlines. Qatar Airways reported a record-breaking profit of USD 2.15 billion for the fiscal year 2024–2025, marking a 28% increase year-over-year and the strongest results in the airline’s history. This performance was driven in part by Qatar Airways Cargo, which saw a 17% revenue increase and its best results since the COVID-19 pandemic, attributed to digital investments and operational agility.

In contrast, China Southern Airlines faced ongoing financial headwinds, reporting a net loss of 1.70 billion yuan in 2024, with total revenue falling short of expectations. Nevertheless, China Southern remains China’s largest airline by fleet size and route network, operating over 600 aircraft and maintaining a dominant domestic presence. The partnership allows China Southern to leverage Qatar Airways’ global reach and financial stability, while Qatar Airways gains deeper access to China’s vast domestic market.

For travelers, the partnership means expanded access: Chinese passengers can now connect to over 170 destinations in Qatar Airways’ network via Hamad International Airport, which was voted Best Airport in the Middle East by Skytrax in 2025. This comprehensive network coverage is particularly significant as the Asia-Pacific region leads global aviation growth.

Qatar Airways’ profit for FY 2024–2025 reached USD 2.15 billion, while China Southern Airlines reported a net loss, highlighting the complementary strengths each brings to the partnership.

Asia-Pacific Aviation Growth and Market Dynamics

The backdrop to this partnership is the robust growth of the Asia-Pacific aviation market. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) projects that Asia-Pacific will account for 52% of global aviation growth in 2025, with passenger numbers expected to rise by 7.9%, the highest rate worldwide. The region’s long-term outlook is equally strong, with passenger numbers forecast to double by 2043, far surpassing growth rates in Europe and North America.

Hamad International Airport in Doha has responded to this demand with significant infrastructure investments, including the opening of Concourses D and E in March 2025. This expansion increased the airport’s capacity to 65 million passengers annually, adding 17 new boarding gates for a total of 62. Such developments ensure that the airport remains a pivotal hub for connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa, supporting the expanded codeshare operations.

The competitive landscape is intensifying. With the expanded partnership, Qatar Airways and its strategic partners now offer 64 weekly flights across eight gateways in Greater China, making it one of the most comprehensive international networks in the region. This positions both airlines to capture a significant share of the growing Asia-Pacific travel market, especially as more seats are added in the region than in all others combined.

Chinese Outbound Travel Trends and Golden Week Impact

Golden Week is one of the most significant periods for outbound Chinese travel, and the timing of the partnership expansion is designed to capture this surge. Data shows that accommodation searches for outbound travel during Golden Week 2025 have increased nearly fourfold compared to 2024. Gen Z and Millennials make up the largest traveler segments, with Gen Z accounting for 42% of travelers and displaying a strong preference for experiences and international destinations.

European cities remain highly attractive to Chinese travelers, with Italy, Spain, and Greece among the top searched destinations. The expanded codeshare network enables seamless connections to these and other popular cities, including Barcelona, Madrid, Munich, and Athens. This aligns with broader trends toward cultural tourism, sports tourism, and nature-focused travel among Chinese consumers.

Nature and pop culture tourism are also on the rise. Destinations such as Kenya have seen increased interest for wildlife experiences, while cities like Seoul are popular due to K-pop events. The Qatar Airways–China Southern partnership provides access to a diverse range of destinations, positioning both airlines to benefit from these evolving travel preferences.

Outbound accommodation searches for Golden Week 2025 are nearly four times higher than in 2024, reflecting pent-up demand and rising travel budgets among Chinese consumers.

Cargo Operations and Belt and Road Initiative Synergies

The partnership’s cargo-aircraft operations are a strategically important dimension, particularly in the context of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The 2024 Memorandum of Understanding between the two airlines strengthens cargo cooperation and loyalty program integration, allowing members to earn and redeem miles across both networks.

The global air cargo market is valued at USD 250 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 420 billion by 2035, with China leading growth at a compound annual rate of 6.2%. Major Chinese airports handle significant volumes of electronics, automotive parts, and pharmaceuticals, creating opportunities for expanded cargo partnerships. Qatar Airways Cargo’s strong performance and investment in technology further enhance the alliance’s competitive edge.

The BRI’s focus on trade and infrastructure development across Asia, Africa, and Europe aligns with Doha’s role as a transit hub for both passenger and cargo flows. As the air cargo sector continues to modernize, with automated management systems and cold chain logistics, the partnership is well-placed to benefit from future growth in high-value and integrated logistics services.

Broader Industry Context and Future Outlook

The Qatar Airways–China Southern partnership is emblematic of a broader industry trend toward alliance-based growth strategies. As global airline revenues are projected to exceed USD 1 trillion for the first time in 2025, and with the Asia-Pacific region leading this growth, strategic collaborations will become increasingly important for capturing market share and optimizing network connectivity.

The integration of loyalty programs, infrastructure investments, and technological advancements such as high-speed Wi-Fi and automated cargo management systems will further strengthen the partnership’s value proposition. As regulatory approvals are secured and market conditions evolve, both airlines are expected to deepen their cooperation, potentially expanding into new markets and service areas.

The Asia-Pacific region is projected to account for 52% of global aviation growth in 2025, with passenger numbers expected to double by 2043.

Conclusion

The expanded partnership between Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines is a strategically significant development in global aviation. By aligning their networks, cargo operations, and loyalty programs, both carriers are well-positioned to capitalize on the robust growth of the Asia-Pacific region and the immediate opportunities presented by China’s Golden Week travel surge.

Looking ahead, the alliance serves as a model for how international airline partnerships can create value through complementary strengths, strategic timing, and alignment with broader economic and demographic trends. As Asia-Pacific continues to drive global aviation expansion, such collaborations will play a crucial role in shaping the future of air travel and trade.

FAQ

What is the main focus of the Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines partnership expansion?
The primary focus is on expanding codeshare flights between Beijing Daxing and Doha, timed for China’s Golden Week, and extending connectivity to destinations across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

How does the partnership benefit travelers?
Travelers gain access to a broader network, seamless connections via Doha, and the ability to earn and redeem loyalty points across both airlines, enhancing convenience and travel options.

What role does cargo play in the partnership?
Cargo operations are a key component, leveraging both airlines’ networks and aligning with China’s Belt and Road Initiative to support increased trade and logistics flows between Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.

Why is Golden Week significant for this partnership?
Golden Week is a peak travel period for outbound Chinese travelers. The partnership expansion is timed to capture this surge in demand, with travel searches and budgets reaching new highs in 2025.

What are the long-term implications of this alliance?
The partnership positions both airlines to benefit from Asia-Pacific’s projected aviation growth, increased cargo demand, and the continued expansion of international travel and trade networks.

Sources

• Qatar Airways Press Release
• IATA