China’s “big three” posted losses for the first six months of 2024 despite double-digit revenue growth and strong domestic and international passenger traffic.
European airlines are pulling out capacity or even leaving some routes completely while Chinese carriers are expanding their capacity to Europe substantially.
Comac delivered Air China’s and China Southern Airlines’ first C919s in a combined ceremony, marking the airliner's expansion to all three state-owned carriers.
China’s largest privately owned airline, Juneyao Air, is in the process of expanding its small shareholding in codeshare partner China Eastern Airlines.
China's international passenger volume is 20 percentage points below 2019, but its entire international air transport capacity is 3.7% above pre-COVID levels.
The total area will span 110,000 m² (1.2 million ft.²) with three hangars and supporting buildings; the largest hangar will accommodate nine widebody aircraft.
Chinese cities mentioned as focus points for the JV—which China Eastern and Etihad hope to launch in 2025—include Beijing, Kunming, Shanghai and Xi’an.
China Southern has placed an order for 100 Comac C919s, completing the trifecta of state-owned airlines committing to the domestically developed aircraft.
Traffic for the leading Chinese carriers during Q1 2024 reveal record-high performances, with positive year-on-year increases, as well as growth against Q1 2019.
Air China plans to open its first route to Saudi Arabia in May, while China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines are launching new European flights.
With domestic traffic already surpassing pre-pandemic levels, the results are a clear indication of the carriers' glacial recovery of international capacity.
A selection of 50 new routes starting this month, including new services being launched China Eastern Airlines, Singapore Airlines and GOL Líneas Aéreas.
