China Southern Airlines, one of the country’s largest air carriers, transported over 295 million passengers during the summer flight season this year, according to a report by the company. The peak season, which ran from July 1 to August 31, saw an average of over 470,000 passengers per day, reflecting a significant increase in demand for air travel.
Domestic Flights:
The demand for domestic flights was particularly robust during the summer period. The airline operated over 120,000 flights across the country, with the busiest routes being between major urban clusters. The top routes included Beijing Daxing to Shanghai, Guangzhou to Hangzhou, Shenzhen to Shanghai, and Shenzhen to Chongqing, all of which had an average passenger load factor (seat occupancy rate) of over 85%. In addition, the regional and domestic flights to scenic destinations in Xinjiang and other popular tourist areas saw high demand, with routes such as Urumqi to Kashgar, and Chongqing to Dali, experiencing load factors of around 90%.
International and Regional Flights:
International and regional flights also experienced a surge in demand. China Southern Airlines operated approximately 16,000 international and regional flights during the summer season, transporting over 28 million passengers. The airline saw notable growth in flights to the Middle East, Central Asia, and other regions, with the number of flights surpassing the levels seen in 2019. The number of passengers traveling from China to Singapore, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates was particularly high, surpassing the 2019 figures.
Guangzhou Hub:
The Guangzhou hub, a major gateway for both domestic and international flights, processed over 6.48 million passengers during the summer season. On its busiest day, the hub handled over 117,000 passengers. A significant number of these passengers were families and relatives traveling internationally, contributing to a 62% increase in international passenger traffic compared to the previous year.
Travel Trends:
In addition to the surge in passenger traffic, the summer season also saw an increase in transit passengers through Guangzhou. The number of transit passengers exceeded 850,000, marking a 50.68% increase compared to the previous year. Southeast Asian destinations saw a particularly high increase in transit passengers, with over 400,000 people making use of the transit facilities.
This summer season not only saw China Southern Airlines handling a significant volume of passengers but also highlighted the resilience and growth of the aviation industry in China, especially in the context of an expanding domestic market and increasing international travel demand. The company’s successful operations during the summer flight season reflect its commitment to serving a growing number of passengers with reliable and efficient services.
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