Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2025-10-23 02:36Core Viewpoint - The aviation sector is experiencing a significant recovery after being undervalued for the past two to three years due to the pandemic and international flight disruptions, with recent data indicating a strong upward trend in stock prices and operational metrics [1][6]. Group 1: Market Performance - Since October 9, 2025, the Hong Kong aviation sector has seen substantial gains, with increases of 3.47%, 5.68%, and 5.38% on October 9, 15, and 20 respectively, leading to a cumulative rise of 15.14% [1] - China Eastern Airlines (00670) has recorded a cumulative increase of 37.42%, while China Southern Airlines (01055) has seen a rise of 22.57% [1] Group 2: Passenger Demand and Flight Operations - The National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays have driven a surge in travel, with an estimated 2.432 billion people traveling during the holiday period, marking a historical high and a 6.2% year-on-year increase [3] - Civil aviation passenger volume reached 19.138 million during the holiday, with a daily average of 2.392 million, reflecting increases of 4.1% and 26.9% compared to 2024 and 2019 respectively [3] - The number of flights executed daily has increased to 15,539, a 3.73% rise from the previous year, indicating stable growth in flight operations [3] Group 3: Pricing and Cost Dynamics - The average domestic economy class ticket price in September 2025 was 697 yuan, a 0.6% increase year-on-year, while prices during the holiday period averaged 849 yuan, up 0.3% year-on-year [5] - Oil prices are expected to decline, which could enhance the profitability of airlines as the cost of aviation fuel decreases [5] Group 4: Long-term Industry Outlook - The aviation industry is poised for a "super cycle" due to a favorable supply-demand dynamic, with demand expected to grow significantly as consumer behavior shifts towards leisure travel and business travel recovers [7][9] - The supply side faces constraints, with global aircraft manufacturing capacity recovering slowly, and domestic capacity growth projected at only 3.1% annually from 2025 to 2028 [10] - Market reforms and industry self-regulation have improved pricing power for airlines, leading to a potential increase in profitability as demand continues to rise [11] Group 5: Investment Opportunities - The aviation sector is entering a phase characterized by high demand, low supply, and supportive policies, creating conditions for a sustainable profit growth period from 2025 to 2028 [12] - Investors are encouraged to focus on full-service airlines with hub advantages and international route flexibility, as well as low-cost carriers with efficient operational models [12]