16 Feb 2025
#3 Feb 2025: China Aviation Industry Newsletter
Cathay Cargo Becomes First Carrier to Implement IATA’s ONE Record Data Protocol
Cathay Cargo has become the first airline to fully integrate IATA’s ONE Record data protocol into its day-to-day operations—one year ahead of the official 2026 deadline. This transition enhances shipment tracking, security, and transparency while reducing paperwork. Cathay Cargo’s Director, Tom Owen, highlighted that the smooth API integration with freight forwarders proves that the industry has "nothing to fear and everything to gain" from making this digital leap.
Civil Aviation Industry Transports 18.24 Million Passengers During Spring Festival Holiday
China’s civil aviation sector saw record-breaking passenger traffic during the eight-day Spring Festival holiday, moving 18.24 million passengers, a 2.9% increase from 2024. The period saw 145,000 flights operated with an impressive 96% flight punctuality rate, up by 3.4 percentage points from the previous year. International travel demand surged, with an average of 1,888 daily international flights, marking a 24.6% increase over 2024. Travel to Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam saw the highest traffic.
China’s AG600 Amphibious Aircraft Successfully Completes Maiden Flights in 2025
China’s AG600 large amphibious aircraft program has reached a major milestone, with three aircraft completing their maiden test flights in Shaanxi Province. The aircraft, designed for firefighting, search-and-rescue, and maritime operations, underwent extensive tests, including flight control failure simulations, icy weather evaluations, and avionics system upgrades. The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) credited the 500-member research team for conducting the tests during the Spring Festival holiday, pushing the aircraft closer to airworthiness certification.
Acumen’s Take
On Cathay Cargo Becomes First Carrier to Implement IATA’s ONE Record Data Protocol
Cathay Cargo’s early adoption of IATA’s ONE Record marks a major step toward digital transformation in air cargo operations. By streamlining data-sharing processes and reducing reliance on outdated documentation methods, Cathay is setting an industry benchmark for efficiency and transparency. The move also reinforces the importance of automation and interoperability in modern air cargo logistics.
On Civil Aviation Industry Transports 18.24 Million Passengers During Spring Festival Holiday
China’s booming air travel sector reflects the country’s strong post-pandemic recovery and rising international demand. The surge in international flights indicates growing consumer confidence, which airlines must address by scaling capacity and optimising operations. As Chinese air travel nears pre-pandemic levels, airlines must also focus on maintaining high on-time performance while ensuring passenger experience improvements.
On China’s AG600 Amphibious Aircraft Successfully Completes Maiden Flights in 2025
The AG600’s successful test flights underscore China’s growing ambitions in specialised aviation technology, particularly in disaster response and maritime operations. The aircraft’s multi-role capabilities position it as a critical asset for firefighting, emergency rescue, and defence applications. With airworthiness certification on the horizon, China’s aviation sector is proving its ability to develop and deploy domestically built, high-tech aircraft that can compete on a global scale.
Acumen Aviation © 8 February 2025 All Rights Reserved
