21世纪经济报道·2025-08-18 15:38Core Viewpoint - The civil aviation industry in China is experiencing record-high transportation volumes, but faces significant financial losses and increasing competition pressures, prompting the introduction of self-regulatory measures to combat "involution" in the market [1][5][12]. Group 1: Transportation Volume and Growth - In July, China's civil aviation industry achieved a historical high with a total transportation turnover of 148 billion ton-kilometers, a passenger volume of 71.82 million, and cargo mail volume of 867,000 tons, representing year-on-year growth of 8.6%, 3.9%, and 15.3% respectively [1][6][7]. - Domestic passenger transport reached 64.73 million, up 2.7% year-on-year, while international routes saw a 15.7% increase with 7.09 million passengers [6]. - Cargo transport also showed strong growth, with domestic routes handling 479,000 tons (up 10.8%) and international routes 388,000 tons (up 21.5%) [7]. Group 2: Financial Performance of Major Airlines - The three major airlines reported losses exceeding 40 billion yuan in the first half of the year, with Air China expecting a net loss of 1.7 to 2.2 billion yuan, China Eastern Airlines projecting a loss of 1.2 to 1.6 billion yuan, and China Southern Airlines estimating a loss of 1.338 to 1.756 billion yuan [5][10]. - Factors contributing to these losses include market supply imbalances, changes in passenger demographics, competition from high-speed rail, and increased international uncertainties [10]. Group 3: Price Trends and Market Dynamics - Despite the peak travel season, average ticket prices in July fell by 8.8% year-on-year, indicating weak price performance [11]. - The industry anticipates a potential reduction in supply and a gradual increase in demand as the economy recovers, which may support price increases in the future [11]. Group 4: Regulatory Measures and Industry Response - The China Air Transport Association released a self-regulatory charter aimed at addressing "involution" in the industry, emphasizing adherence to market rules and anti-competitive practices [1][12][14]. - The charter seeks to curb malicious competition, such as predatory pricing and false advertising, and aims to enhance the overall market order [1][12]. - Experts suggest that the charter's implementation could help stabilize the market and improve the industry's long-term competitiveness [14]. Group 5: Recommendations for Market Expansion - To avoid "involution," experts recommend expanding international routes to meet the growing demand for business travel and cross-border tourism, which could enhance the global market share of Chinese airlines [15][16]. - Proper allocation of capacity between trunk and regional flights is essential to prevent competition that undermines pricing and service quality [16]. - A coordinated development strategy between high-speed rail and civil aviation is necessary to optimize the transportation system and mitigate price wars [16].