Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the contrasting financial performance of private and state-owned airlines in China, with private airlines achieving profitability while state-owned carriers continue to incur losses in the first half of 2025 [3][4]. Summary by Sections Performance of Airlines - All listed airlines in A-shares have disclosed their half-year reports for 2025, with private airlines such as Spring Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Hainan Airlines, and China Express Airlines reporting profits. Spring Airlines led with a net profit of 1.169 billion yuan, making it the most profitable airline in mainland China for the first half of the year [3][4]. - Spring Airlines has maintained profitability for two consecutive years, with net profits of 2.257 billion yuan in 2023 and 2.273 billion yuan in 2024, both setting new records since the company's inception [5]. State-Owned Airlines' Struggles - In contrast, the three major state-owned airlines—Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines—reported losses of 1.806 billion yuan, 1.441 billion yuan, and 1.533 billion yuan, respectively, in the first half of 2025 [5][6]. Market Dynamics - The disparity in performance among airlines is attributed to the slower-than-expected recovery of international routes and ongoing competition in the domestic market. International passenger flights in civil aviation increased by 24.9% year-on-year in the first half of 2025 but were still down 12% compared to 2019 [6]. - The three major state-owned airlines have a higher proportion of international routes, making them more vulnerable to the sluggish recovery of international markets. In contrast, private airlines like Spring Airlines and Juneyao Airlines, which focus on routes to nearby countries, have been less affected [6]. Revenue and Cost Management - Despite the overall decline in passenger revenue, cost control has become crucial for maintaining performance. Private airlines, exemplified by Spring Airlines, have advantages over state-owned carriers in this regard [7]. Airport and Cargo Companies - Airport companies have fared better, with five out of seven listed airport companies reporting profits in the first half of 2025. Notably, Shanghai Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun Airport achieved significant profit growth of 28.14% and 71.32%, respectively [9]. - Cargo logistics companies also reported profit increases, with China National Aviation Holding and Eastern Air Logistics earning 1.24 billion yuan and 1.289 billion yuan, respectively, marking year-on-year growth of 86.15% and 0.9% [10]. Global Cargo Trends - The global air cargo demand continues to grow, with a 2.8% increase in cargo ton-kilometers in the first half of 2025. China's air cargo exports reached 2.67 million tons, up 11.6% year-on-year, with significant growth in international cargo transport [10]. - However, adjustments in U.S. tariff policies and the cancellation of small package exemptions have impacted air carriers, particularly in the North American market, which saw an 8.2% decline in exports from China [10][11].

Group 1: Airline Performance - All listed airlines in A-shares have reported their 2025 semi-annual results, with private airlines achieving profitability while state-owned airlines continue to incur losses [1] - Spring Airlines has reported the highest net profit among private airlines at 1.169 billion yuan, making it the most profitable listed airline in mainland China for the first half of the year [1] - In contrast, the three major state-owned airlines, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, reported losses of 1.806 billion yuan, 1.441 billion yuan, and 1.533 billion yuan respectively in the first half of the year [2] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The disparity in performance among airlines is attributed to the slower-than-expected recovery of international routes and ongoing competition in the domestic market [2] - International passenger flights in civil aviation increased by 24.9% year-on-year in the first half of the year, but still fell 12% compared to 2019 levels, indicating that international flight volumes have not fully recovered [2] - Private airlines like Spring Airlines and Juneyao Airlines, which focus on international routes primarily to neighboring countries, are less affected by the slow recovery of international markets compared to state-owned airlines [2][3] Group 3: Revenue and Cost Management - Spring Airlines reported a significant increase in capacity on Japanese routes, with a year-on-year growth of over 116.8%, positively impacting revenue performance [3] - Despite the overall revenue decline in domestic routes, cost control has become crucial for maintaining performance, with private airlines like Spring Airlines having more advantages in this area compared to state-owned airlines [3] Group 4: Airport and Cargo Performance - Among seven listed airport companies, five reported profits in the first half of the year, while only two, Meilan Airport and Capital Airport, continued to incur losses [4] - Capital Airport has faced continuous losses since 2020, with cumulative losses exceeding 10 billion yuan, largely due to competition from Beijing Daxing Airport [4] - Cargo logistics companies also reported profit growth, with China National Aviation and Eastern Air Logistics earning 1.24 billion yuan and 1.289 billion yuan respectively, reflecting a positive trend in global air cargo demand [5] Group 5: Global Cargo Trends - The global air cargo demand is on the rise, with a year-on-year increase of 2.8% in cargo ton-kilometers in the first half of the year, and a significant growth of 8.4% in the Asia-Pacific region [5] - China's air cargo export volume reached 2.67 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 11.6%, with international cargo transport volumes hitting record highs [5] - However, adjustments in U.S. tariff policies and the cancellation of small package exemptions are impacting air carriers, with negative growth observed in exports to North America [5][6]