22 Aug 2022

China Aviation Industry Newsletter 22 August

Cathay Pacific reports rapid passenger growth in July Cathay Pacific announced it carried a total of 219,746 passengers in July an increase of  over 306.2% compared to prior July 2021 number. Cathay Pacific Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Ronald Lam said “We continued to add more passenger flight capacity in July in light of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s progressive adjustments to travel and quarantine restrictions. Capacity increased by 24% compared to June, although it remained low at 12.4% of the pre-pandemic level. Passenger volume increased to an average of over 7,000 per day. Meanwhile, passenger load factor reached 73.3% – the highest it’s been since the start of the pandemic.” China air cargo traffic returns to pre-covid levels The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in a press conference last week announced the cargo market returned to pre-covid levels with 24% growth in July as operators carried 539,000 tons of cargo and mail. China air travel market returns to growth in July The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in a press conference last week announced 34 million travelled by air in July, reporting a 54.5% growth rate month on month. The CAAC reported an average of 9,931 flights per day. China Seeks Thai Open Skies to significantly increase capacity The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has formally requested quintupling the number of flights between China and Thailand to take effect from next month initially to facilitate business travel and in due course to cater for significant pent up demand for the leisure market as China changes its Covid travel policies. Hainan Airlines restores connectivity between Beijing and Manchester Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines has restored connectivity between Beijing and Manchester effective from 22nd August operating a two class Airbus A330-300 service operating twice weekly. According to official data pre covid in 2019 China was the UK’s second most valuable inbound market, valued at £1.7 Billion per annum. Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said “Today’s announcement is clear evidence of the vital economic role that Manchester Airport plays, both in the North and the UK as a whole, as we emerge from the pandemic. Prior to 2020, the Hainan service provided vital connectivity to one of the world’s most important economies and I am sure this news will be welcomed by the hundreds of thousands of people across the North who travel to and from China each year. It is extremely positive to see critical routes like this return to our departure boards and we look forward to working closely with Hainan Airlines to build on the previous success of this route.” Acumen Aviation © 22 August 2022 All Rights Reserved.