Doha, Qatar – Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines have announced a major expansion of their codeshare partnership, alongside increased flight frequencies between Doha and Beijing ahead of China’s Golden Week holiday period. The move builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed last year, strengthening both airlines’ commitment to enhancing global connectivity for Chinese travellers.
From 16 October 2025, Qatar Airways will place its code on China Southern’s three weekly direct flights between Beijing Daxing and Doha. In return, China Southern will expand its “CZ” code onto Qatar Airways-operated flights beyond Doha to 15 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, including Athens, Barcelona, Cairo, Dar es Salaam, Madrid, and Munich.
Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori said the expansion underscores the carrier’s long-term commitment to China. “This latest development ensures that every Qatar Airways route to China is now accessible to China Southern Airlines’ passengers, underlining our shared focus on growth and connectivity,” he said. “Timed with Golden Week, it provides Chinese travellers with unrivalled access through Doha to over 170 destinations worldwide via Hamad International Airport, the Best Airport in the Middle East, as voted by Skytrax in 2025.”
China Southern Airlines has been operating flights between Guangzhou and Doha since April 2024, with Qatar Airways already codesharing on those services. Pending government approvals, the partnership will also extend to additional Chinese gateways including Chengdu Tianfu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai.
China Southern President and CEO Han Wensheng said Beijing Daxing remains central to the airline’s international strategy. “The launch of new Doha services further strengthens its role alongside Guangzhou,” he said. “Together with Qatar Airways, we are creating new opportunities for Chinese passengers to reach destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas.”
With the expansion, Qatar Airways, China Southern, and fellow partner Xiamen Airlines will collectively offer 64 weekly flights across eight Greater China gateways, making it one of the most extensive networks established by Qatar Airways.
The two airlines also plan to deepen collaboration beyond passenger services, with future cooperation expected in cargo operations and loyalty programmes.
Qatar Airways currently flies to more than 170 destinations worldwide and was named World’s Best Airline for a record ninth time at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards. China Southern, meanwhile, remains China’s largest carrier by passenger traffic and continues to expand its hubs in Guangzhou and Beijing Daxing.
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