China Southern Airlines Expands with 17 New International Routes
China Southern Airlines is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan with the announcement of 17 new long-haul international routes. The move comes as the airline anticipates a surge in international travel, signaling a promising recovery in the Chinese international aviation market.
photo source: Yufengconsulting.com
China Southern Airlines is set to launch 17 new long-haul international routes this year, aiming to capitalize on the projected increase in international travel demand. While specific details of the new routes are yet to be disclosed, destinations such as Amsterdam, London, Doha, Riyadh, and Tehran have been mentioned by airline executives.
The announcement follows the recent inauguration of the airline’s maiden flight from Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) to Macau International Airport (MFM). China Southern aims to commence operations on all 17 planned routes by October 26th, 2024, in line with the country’s goal of reaching 6,000 weekly flights by the end of the year.
The recovery of China’s international travel sector has been gradual, with restrictions being lifted only in early 2023. China Southern Airlines has so far restored 80% of its pre-pandemic route network, utilizing widebody aircraft to meet domestic travel demand. Despite these efforts, the airline reported a loss of over $560 million (4.1 billion yuan) for 2023, citing weak consumer spending, increased jet fuel costs, and supply chain challenges.
photo source: Vincenzo Pace
With the recent increase in weekly flight allocations for Chinese carriers by the United States Department of Transportation, China Southern Airlines could be eyeing opportunities for expansion into the US market. The current limit of 50 weekly flights may see further adjustments in the future, paving the way for increased competition among major international carriers from both countries.
In addition to route expansion, China Southern Airlines has resumed taking delivery of new aircraft, including Boeing 737 MAX jets since late January. These strategic investments underscore the airline’s commitment to modernizing its fleet and positioning itself for future growth opportunities.
China Southern’s aggressive expansion efforts reflect its confidence in the resurgence of international travel demand and its determination to regain market share in the global aviation landscape.
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