Canada plans to allow more flight connections to China, as it seeks to rebuild ties with Beijing and capitalise on rising demand for Canadian travel among Chinese tourists, but airlines may be reluctant to add new routes due to soaring jet fuel costs and a lack of access to Russian airspace.

Steven MacKinnon, Canada’s transport minister, announced last week that Ottawa would permit an “incremental” increase in direct passenger combination flights to China and up to 20 cargo flights per week.

Tourism is central to that relationship, analysts said, with demand for bilateral travel rising on both sides of the Pacific.

Chinese tourists have a growing interest in “open” natural scenery and “culturally diverse” cities, common assets in Canada, said Subramania Bhatt, CEO of the technology and marketing firm China Trading Desk. He added that they also saw Canada as more accessible after a resumption of group tours last year.

There has been a “steady” rise in bookings to Canada by Chinese travellers in recent years, particularly to Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Ottawa, according to Fliggy, a major Chinese travel booking platform. Fliggy is owned by Alibaba Group Holding, which also owns the South China Morning Post.