An Air China flight departs from Beijing to Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Jan 14, marking the commencement of this year's Spring Festival travel rush. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
China's aviation sector is witnessing an unprecedented surge in passenger demand as the annual Spring Festival travel rush began on Jan 14. Airlines are ramping up operations to cater to the booming international travel market during this 40-day travel peak, which concludes on Feb 22.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) forecasts daily passenger trips will surpass 2.25 million, supported by an average of 18,500 flights per day — a significant 8.4 percent increase compared to last year. Total passenger volume is expected to set new records, driven by growing demand for both domestic and international travel.
Passengers await boarding CA1405 in Beijing, a flight bound for Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Jan 14, the inaugural day of this year's Spring Festival travel rush. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Air China, one of the nation's leading airlines, has significantly scaled up its operations to meet the demand. During the travel rush, the airline plans to operate over 70,000 flights, an increase of more than 6,000 flights compared to last year — a nearly 10 percent rise. This translates to about 1,750 flights per day, a daily increase of over 150 flights year-on-year.
The airline has added 3,400 flights on key domestic and international routes, targeting popular outbound destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Air China's network during this period includes 126 international and regional routes, connecting six continents and 71 destinations worldwide.
Airline staff members assist passengers with check-in procedures, baggage handling, and special passenger services at Beijing Capital International Airport on Jan 14, the inaugural day of this year's Spring Festival travel rush. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
To further enhance the travel experience for international passengers, Air China has introduced a special visa-free section on its mobile app and websites. Travelers can explore updated visa-free policies, access products such as free half-day tours in Beijing, and conveniently purchase tickets to visa-free destinations.
This operational boost aligns with the broader trend of rising international travel among Chinese citizens, as pent-up demand from years of pandemic-related restrictions continues to drive growth.
