China Express Airlines to Shift Main Base to Chongqing, Strengthening Western Hub Strategy

China Express Airlines will relocate its primary operational base from its current hub to Chongqing, a move aimed at supporting network expansion and capturing growing domestic and regional travel demand.

The carrier said it will shift its central operations, flight planning and administrative headquarters to Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, where it plans to deploy increased flight frequencies and broaden its route portfolio. The relocation is expected to be phased through 2026 as the airline integrates resources and aligns operational planning with the new base.

China Express Airlines, known for its regional jet network serving tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities across China, is positioning the move as a strategic pivot toward the rapidly growing western Chinese aviation market. Chongqing, a major inland megacity with expanding business and leisure travel traffic, offers geographical advantages for network connectivity to western regions and cross‑border markets.

The airline’s leadership cited Chongqing’s robust economic growth, improving airport infrastructure and strong local demand as key factors in the decision. The move also reflects broader Chinese aviation policy that emphasises the development of inland hubs to balance growth pressures on coastal gateways and support regional economic integration.

China Express operates a fleet comprised primarily of narrowbody aircraft configured for short‑ and medium‑haul flights. With the relocation to Chongqing, the airline plans to strengthen feeder services into major hubs such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou while exploring new point‑to‑point opportunities from the inland base.

Industry analysts say the base shift could help China Express improve aircraft utilisation and unlock schedule flexibility, particularly during peak travel periods when coastal airports experience slot constraints. Establishing a core hub in Chongqing may also enhance the airline’s competitive positioning against larger network carriers and low‑cost competitors targeting the same domestic corridors.

For Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport, the arrival of China Express’ main base is expected to support growth in passenger volumes and stimulate ancillary aviation services, including maintenance, training and ground handling. Cargo and logistics segments could also benefit as flight frequencies and network connectivity improve.

Challenges for the airline include managing transition costs, ensuring seamless crew and fleet redeployment, and maintaining service reliability during the relocation process. Analysts note that careful coordination across operations, engineering and regulatory compliance units will be critical to mitigate disruption.

China Express Airlines’ move to Chongqing underscores a broader trend in China’s aviation market where regional players are leveraging inland hubs to diversify network strategies, optimise capacity deployment and respond to evolving travel demand across a geographically large domestic market.