Tuesday, January 9, 2024
The Chinese aviation industry is poised for a record high during the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year or Spring Festival holidays, with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) predicting a surge in air travel. The 40-day travel rush, spanning from January 26 to March 5, is anticipated to witness approximately 80 million passenger trips, averaging 2 million per day. The number of daily flights is expected to reach 16,500 during Chinese Lunar New Year reflecting the robust recovery in the domestic aviation market.
The factors contributing to the increased air travel include staggered holidays, the return to work, and leisure travel. The extension of this year’s Chinese Lunar New Year holidays is likely to encourage a “family visit plus tourist” trend. Popular destinations such as Sanya and Haikou in Hainan Province, as well as ice tourism cities in Northeast China and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, are expected to see a significant rise in visitors.
Outbound travel during Chinese Lunar New Yearis also anticipated to peak during the holidays, with Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and other nearby countries becoming popular choices. The CAAC attributes this trend to easier visa policies and customs clearance procedures. The Chinese Lunar New Yearaviation authority is encouraging airlines to increase flights, with plans to add more than 2,500 new international scheduled flights and charter flights.
Specifically, additional flights to Japan and Thailand are expected to exceed 600, followed by more than 200 to South Korea and 150 to Singapore. The visa-free policy and mutual visa exemptions during Chinese Lunar New Yearbetween China and various countries have played a role in facilitating international travel.
The CAAC officials express confidence in the sustained, rapid, and healthy development of China’s civil aviation sector, foreseeing a new cycle of growth. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has showcased resilience and recovery. In 2023, domestic passenger air traffic exceeded pre-pandemic levels, registering a 1.5 percent increase compared to 2019, making it the fastest-recovering transportation mode in China.
As of the end of 2023, international scheduled passenger flights stood at 62.8 percent of the pre-pandemic level, with domestic airlines operating at 73.5 percent compared to 48.1 percent for overseas carriers. The CAAC predicts that transportation turnover, passenger volume, and cargo volume in 2024 will surpass pre-pandemic levels, with double-digit year-on-year passenger growth.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
