Beijing, 6 May 2025 — China’s aviation industry experienced a significant surge in passenger numbers during the five-day May Day holiday, reflecting a robust recovery in travel demand. According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), civil aviation across the country handled a total of 11.15 million passenger trips, averaging 2.23 million daily. This marks an 11.8% increase over the same period in 2024 and a 55.4% rise compared to 2019 figures.
Airlines and Airports Reach New Milestones
China Eastern Airlines reported operating 15,200 flights during the holiday, a 19.8% year-on-year increase, transporting 2.173 million passengers, up 16.1% from the previous year. Notably, the airline’s domestically-produced C919 aircraft conducted 182 flights, carrying 26,470 passengers.
Beijing Daxing International Airport managed 4,824 flights, with a total passenger throughput of 763,900, setting new records since its inception. Shanghai’s two major airports also achieved historic highs, handling 12,000 take-offs and landings and serving 1.937 million passengers, a 14.1% year-on-year increase.
International Travel Trends
International travel saw a notable uptick, with Japan emerging as the most popular destination. Flights between China and Japan exceeded 2,000, a 53% increase from the previous year. South Korea followed, with 1,588 flights, marking an 18% rise. Top destinations for Chinese mainland travelers included Seoul, Hong Kong, and Osaka.
Outlook
The CAAC had anticipated record-high passenger numbers and flight volumes during the May Day holiday, a prediction that materialized, indicating a strong rebound in China’s aviation sector. Popular destinations were concentrated in Japan, South Korea, and traditional tourism sites across Southeast Asia
This resurgence in air travel underscores the sector’s recovery and the increasing confidence of travelers, setting a positive trajectory for the remainder of the year.
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