Air China’s new Iceland route brings Chinese influencers to the country

Five Chinese influencers and six media representatives are visiting Iceland this week after arriving on Air China’s first scheduled flight to the country, mbl.is reports. The trip was organised by Íslandsstofa in cooperation with the airline, Isavia and tourism marketing offices in Reykjanes, the capital region and South Iceland.

The group arrived on Monday morning. Media outlets represented include CCTV, China Newsweek and The Beijing News. Air China’s new route connects Beijing and Keflavik via Copenhagen.

The route has already drawn attention in Chinese media. Pétur Þ. Óskarsson, managing director of Íslandsstofa, was among those interviewed by China’s state broadcaster CCTV in its coverage of the airline’s first flight to Iceland.

The visitors will learn about Iceland’s tourism offerings, nature, culture, food, design and innovation. Their programme includes visits to Ölgerðin and 66°North, wellness destinations including the Blue Lagoon, Sky Lagoon, Laugarás Lagoon and Laugarvatn Fontana, and the food destination Friðheimar. They are also due to travel around Reykjanes and the Golden Circle before leaving on Thursday.

China is an important market for Icelandic tourism. In 2025, Chinese travellers accounted for more than 128,000 departures through Keflavik Airport, about 5.7 per cent of all international departures. China was Iceland’s fourth-largest source market, having returned to its pre-pandemic strength, according to the article.

The scheduled service was launched in the year marking 55 years since China and Iceland established diplomatic relations. Air China chief executive Qu Guangji said the route was intended to strengthen ties, make travel easier and create new opportunities for business, cultural exchange and cooperation.