Key Points:
- China’s civil aviation sector handled 61.2 million passenger trips in April, up 0.4% year-on-year.
- International routes experienced strong growth, with passenger trips jumping 5.8% to 6.79 million.
- Overall air cargo and mail transport rose 6.9% to reach 854,000 tonnes during the month.
- International cargo shipments grew by a massive 12.9% to hit 398,000 tonnes.
China’s civil aviation sector recorded another busy month as passenger trips topped 61 million in April. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) released the latest monthly data on Thursday, showing steady demand for both passenger travel and air cargo logistics across the country.
Airlines in China handled a total of 61.2 million passenger trips during April. This final figure represents a modest 0.4% increase compared to the same month last year, demonstrating that the national air travel industry remains highly resilient.
A closer look at the data reveals differing trends between domestic and international routes. On domestic flights, airlines carried 54.41 million passenger trips last month. This marks a very slight 0.2% decline from the previous year. Despite the tiny dip, local routes still handle the vast majority of the country’s total air traffic.
In contrast to the flat domestic market, international routes experienced a significant surge in demand. Airlines handled 6.79 million passenger trips on international flights in April, representing a robust 5.8% jump compared to the previous year. Travel experts attribute this strong international recovery to expanded visa-free travel policies and the steady addition of new long-haul routes.
The air cargo and mail transport sector also enjoyed an incredibly strong month. China’s civil aviation network handled exactly 854,000 tonnes of cargo and mail in April. This impressive total represents a healthy 6.9% increase over the same month last year, driven by global appetite for fast shipping.
Within the shipping division, domestic routes handled 456,000 tonnes of cargo and mail last month. This performance represents a 2.1% increase over the previous year, indicating that local trade and domestic express delivery networks remain highly active.
Meanwhile, international cargo transport saw an even larger explosion in demand. International routes handled exactly 398,000 tonnes of cargo and mail in April, marking a massive 12.9% jump year-on-year. Global e-commerce platforms and high-tech supply chains are increasingly relying on air freight to move high-value goods quickly across borders.
The positive data arrives as China’s aviation sector continues to upgrade its services and infrastructure. Earlier this year, the civil aviation regulator set up a dedicated low-altitude safety department to manage emerging technologies. In addition, major European plane maker Airbus secured fresh aircraft orders from Chinese carriers, who are betting on long-haul growth in the world’s largest air-travel market.
As the summer travel season approaches, airlines expect even higher passenger numbers. Both local and international companies are investing heavily in new aircraft and expanding their flight schedules. If the current trajectory continues, China’s civil aviation sector looks set to break even more records before the end of the year.
