Core Viewpoint - The overall decline in ticket prices and revenue has made cost control a key factor in maintaining performance for the airline industry, with all listed airlines in A-shares turning profitable in the first three quarters of the year after continuous losses since the pandemic [1] Group 1: Airline Performance - Hainan Airlines has become the "profit king" for the first three quarters of the year, surpassing Spring Airlines, which had been the most profitable airline in China for the past two years [2][3] - In the third quarter, Southern Airlines reported a net profit of 2.307 billion, China Eastern Airlines 2.103 billion, and Air China 1.87 billion [2] - Private airlines performed better overall, with Hainan Airlines netting 2.845 billion, Spring Airlines 2.336 billion, Juneyao Airlines 1.089 billion, and China Express Airlines 620 million [2] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The shift in profitability among airlines is attributed to ongoing competition in the domestic aviation market and the slow recovery of the Southeast Asian market [3] - Spring Airlines reported a year-on-year net profit decrease of 6.17% in Q3 and a 10.32% decline in net profit for the first three quarters, indicating challenges in the Southeast Asian market [3] - The continuous decline in domestic ticket prices has diminished Spring Airlines' competitive edge, as full-service airlines have lowered their prices to near low-cost carriers while retaining basic services [3] Group 3: Future Outlook - The fourth quarter will be critical for airlines to determine if they can maintain profitability, as the traditional off-peak season begins [4] - Despite the off-peak season, there is a noted increase in business travel demand and local tourism activities, with September's passenger load factor at 86.3%, up 2.4 percentage points year-on-year [4] - The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is focusing on regulating market pricing behavior, which may impact ticket pricing and revenue levels during the off-peak season [4] Group 4: Market Recovery - During the National Day holiday, ticket prices were higher than in the same period in 2024, indicating a shift from previous trends of low prices during peak travel times [5] - Future market recovery is expected to involve structural changes rather than a simple return to pre-pandemic conditions, emphasizing the need for airlines to adapt to current Chinese market conditions [5]