Number of air passengers in China 2010-2024

In 2024, more than *********** passengers traveled by air in China, an increase of **** percent compared to the previous year. This indicated a significant recovery in the aviation industry since the end COVID-19 pandemic control measures. 

Air travel in China

As a significant international hub for both business and leisure travel, China’s airports are sites of bustling activity with cargo and passengers being transported in and out of the nation every day. Air travel is a very time-efficient mode of transportation. More and more people in China's socio-economic strata can afford air travel, which has led to the expansion of the nation’s air fleet. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the number of flight hours surged by a significant degree with China Southern which is owned by China Southern Air Holding Group, reaching nearly ************* flight hours in 2019.

The aviation industry shows recovery

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to massive losses for the Chinese aviation industry, with the cancellation of flights to and from China. For the first time in the last decade or so, China experienced a decline in the volume of air passengers and air cargo. The industry recovered in 2021 with a *** percent year-over-year increase in air passenger numbers and an *** percent year-over-year increase in air cargo. Furthermore, the industry was predicted to have enhanced employment opportunities between 2021 and 2040, with a growing demand for cabin crews, technicians, and pilots.