五亿人上天后，三百元机票正在被围剿

Core Viewpoint - The Chinese civil aviation industry is experiencing a significant shift, with a projected increase in air travel population to 500 million by the end of 2025, while also facing challenges such as rising ticket prices and the need to combat internal competition among airlines [4][8]. Group 1: Industry Growth and Challenges - By the end of 2025, China is expected to have 500 million people who have flown, making it the largest air travel population globally, but this also means that approximately 900 million people have never flown [4]. - The civil aviation industry reported a profit of 6.5 billion yuan in the previous year, with major airlines like Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern showing profitability [8]. - Despite the profitability, there is a growing concern about the sustainability of low-cost tickets, as the industry is moving towards a potential price increase, with the lowest ticket prices disappearing [8][9]. Group 2: Regulatory Measures and Market Dynamics - The Civil Aviation Administration of China has reiterated the need to curb "internal competition," suggesting that ticket prices should not fall below cost, indicating a potential shift towards higher fares [4][9]. - The push against internal competition reflects a broader trend in the Chinese economy, where various sectors are being urged to avoid price wars that could harm overall cash flow [9][10]. - The administrative measures to control pricing may help airlines maintain ticket prices but could also risk losing market share to high-speed rail, which offers competitive pricing and convenience [17][18]. Group 3: Consumer Behavior and Market Perception - The perception of air travel as expensive remains a barrier for many potential travelers, with a significant portion of the population associating airfares with the cost of train tickets [20]. - As business travelers reduce their travel budgets and opt for more cost-effective solutions like virtual meetings, airlines may struggle to maintain profitability without the support of high-paying customers [15][20]. - The shift in consumer behavior, combined with rising operational costs, poses a dilemma for the civil aviation industry, as higher ticket prices could deter new customers and limit growth [15][20].