China remains stubborn outlier as neighbouring nations re-open international borders

October 1st 2022

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At press time, China’s international flights were 6% of their pre-pandemic capacity, although there were signs Mainland airlines might soon be cut a break by Beijing. Read More »

Various digital media is reporting China’s biggest airlines will add to their international route networks in coming weeks, a decision they would not take unless they expected a thaw in the nation’s policy of sudden and extended lockdowns, mass testing and compulsory quarantine for visitor entry to the country.

From the end of this month, China’s “Big Three” state-owned carriers, Air China, China Eastern Airlines (CEA) and China Southern Airlines (CSA), are rebuilding their networks with scores of international flights.

CEA is adding 108 international flights a week to 42 destinations including Dubai, Seoul and Tokyo, up from 54 services and 25 routes in September.

China’s largest airline, CSA, is soon to resume operations to multiple regional destinations, including Bangkok, Dubai, Jakarta, Manila and Tokyo. Flag carrier, Air China, is now serving these same cities as well as Athens, Los Angeles and Vancouver from several domestic airports.

In June, when the rest of the world was near to abandoning inbound quarantine for travellers, China did ease entry restrictions for inbound travellers. Compulsory hotel quarantine was reduced to seven days and the Civil Aviation Administration of China recommended international flights in and out of China should be resumed “in a safe and orderly manner”.

But then the process of border relaxation and eased quarantine stalled. Several Mainland cities were locked down mid-year after outbreaks of COVID-19 variants. As a result, Mainland domestic capacity went into free fall and passenger load factor flamed out.

In its latest passenger and traffic report, issued on October 6, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said: “Asia-Pacific airlines recorded a 449.2% rise in August traffic compared with August 2021. Capacity increased 167% and load factor was up 40.1 percentage points, to 78%.

“While the Asia-Pacific experienced the strongest year-on-year growth among the regions, remaining travel restrictions in China continue to hamper the overall recovery of the region.

“The Mainland of China was the last major market retaining severe COVID-19 entry restrictions,” IATA director general, Willie Walsh said.

And it still is.