During the seven-day National Day holiday, China's aviation industry saw a significant boost in both passenger flight volumes and airfare prices, according to data from VariFlight. The total number of domestic flights reached 102,900, representing a 1.7% increase compared to the previous year, while international and regional flights rose by 1.56% to 17,000. Airfares also increased notably, with domestic tickets averaging approximately 960 yuan ($135), a 9% rise from last year, and international fares growing by 6% to around 1,850 yuan.
This concurrent growth suggests sustained travel demand during one of China's busiest holiday seasons. Data indicates that flight activity slowed mid-holiday but rebounded later, with major airports like Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport leading domestically, and Shanghai Pudong International Airport remaining the busiest international hub.
Regional Airports and Flight Distribution
Several regional hubs, including Beijing Daxing, Urumqi Tianshan, Haikou Meilan, and Chengdu Shuangliu, experienced double-digit growth in domestic flights. The five busiest airports accounted for nearly 56% of all flights, with the top ten airports representing approximately 72.5%. Despite some reductions in international flights at Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun improved its figures, while other airports like Urumqi Tianshan and Chongqing Jiangbei showed rapid growth in international services.
