Zheng Quan Ri Bao·2026-02-02 16:29Core Viewpoint - The 2026 Spring Festival travel season is expected to see a significant increase in passenger demand and flight operations, driven by factors such as longer holiday periods and the recovery of the inbound and outbound tourism market [1][5]. Group 1: Industry Overview - The Civil Aviation Administration of China forecasts that during the Spring Festival period, the national civil aviation passenger transport volume may reach 95 million, with a total of 780,000 flights expected, representing a 5% year-on-year increase in daily average flights [1]. - The travel demand is anticipated to rise due to the combination of holiday length and the recovery of tourism, leading to improved passenger load factors and ticket prices in the civil aviation industry [1][6]. Group 2: Airline Operations - China International Airlines plans to operate over 70,000 passenger flights during the Spring Festival, a 10.1% increase from 2025, with 9 C919 aircraft deployed on various routes [2]. - China Eastern Airlines intends to utilize 822 aircraft, including 14 C919 jets, executing 125,000 flights, with a focus on increasing capacity in domestic and international markets [3]. - China Southern Airlines aims to operate over 126,000 flights, with significant increases in domestic and international routes, including the deployment of C919 aircraft [3]. Group 3: Market Demand - The ticket booking data indicates a peak in demand, with over 5.21 million domestic tickets and 1.61 million international tickets booked, reflecting a year-on-year increase of approximately 22% and 9%, respectively [5]. - The trend of combining family visits with tourism is emerging, leading to sustained demand for travel during the Spring Festival [5]. Group 4: Long-term Industry Outlook - The civil aviation industry is expected to achieve a balanced supply-demand relationship, with a potential increase in profitability as the market stabilizes [6]. - Factors such as the recovery of business travel, the aging population's consumption potential, and the steady recovery of the inbound tourism market are likely to create a supply-demand gap, which could enhance airline revenue levels [6].