Core Viewpoint - The aviation industry is expected to experience a gradual recovery in demand, with domestic market capacity growth remaining slow and international markets benefiting from visa-free policies and corporate expansion, leading to optimistic growth in demand and price trends [1][5]. Group 1: 2025 Review - Global aviation industry growth is slowing, with IATA predicting a 5.8% year-on-year increase in global RPK for 2025, and the Asia-Pacific region leading at 9% [1]. - The average global passenger load factor is expected to reach a record high of 84%, with an estimated EBIT margin of 6.7%, a 0.3 percentage point increase year-on-year [1]. - China's aviation industry showed profitability in the first three quarters of 2025, with international routes recovering faster than domestic ones [2]. Group 2: 2026 Aviation Outlook - Supply-side growth is expected to remain low in 2026, with a record backlog of 17,000 aircraft orders, but delivery rates have not returned to pre-pandemic levels [3][4]. - The utilization rate of aircraft has reached peak levels, limiting the availability of operational aircraft [4]. - Demand for international travel is anticipated to remain strong, driven by visa-free policies and a recovery in business travel [5]. Group 3: Pricing and Capacity - The passenger load factor is nearing its upper limit, which may reduce the willingness of airlines to engage in price wars, supporting a trend of price increases [6]. - The average passenger load factor for the industry is projected to improve, with expectations of continued upward pressure on ticket prices due to reduced competition [6].

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Overweight (Maintain)" [2] Core Viewpoints - The supply-demand pattern continues to improve, signaling the start of an upward cycle for the aviation industry. In Q3 2025, the industry's existing supply is being continuously digested, with peak season aircraft utilization exceeding that of 2019, indicating a potential slowdown in future supply growth. Additionally, significant investment in international routes and limited growth in domestic capacity suggest an optimization of the domestic competitive landscape, with high passenger load factors likely leading to improved ticket prices. Currently, favorable oil prices and exchange rates are expected to create a "not-so-slow" trend in Q4, with the industry likely to significantly reduce losses and release profit elasticity in 2026 [3][45]. Summary by Sections Industry Performance - In Q3 2025, overall flight volume increased by 3% year-on-year, with domestic and international flight volumes growing by 2% and 12%, respectively. Passenger volume also rose by 3.90% overall, with domestic and international passenger volumes increasing by 2.84% and 15.31% [3][12][19]. - The aircraft utilization rate has improved year-on-year, with the industry achieving an average utilization of 10 hours in July and August, exceeding the same period in 2019 by 3% and 4% [3][26]. Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, the total operating revenue for major airlines increased year-on-year, with China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and others showing growth rates of 3.0%, 3.1%, and 1.8%, respectively. However, the operating costs for most airlines also increased, with China Southern and China Eastern slightly exceeding expectations [3][35][41]. - The average price of aviation kerosene in Q3 2025 was 5593 RMB/ton, a decrease of 11.05% year-on-year, contributing to lower operational costs for airlines [3][41]. Investment Recommendations - The investment focus is on two main lines: 1. The performance elasticity brought by rising ticket prices, recommending major airlines with larger fleets and strong cyclical attributes, as well as Hainan Airlines benefiting from specific policies, and the privately-owned airline with the best route network, Juneyao Airlines [3][45]. 2. The certainty of operational performance, recommending Huaxia Airlines with stable subsidies and Spring Airlines, which has clear cost advantages and neutral exchange rate exposure [3][45].

Core Viewpoint - The supply-demand dynamics in the aviation industry are continuously improving, indicating a positive trend for the sector moving forward [1] Group 1: Supply and Demand Dynamics - By the third quarter of 2025, the industry's existing supply is expected to continue to be digested, with aircraft utilization during peak seasons surpassing 2019 levels, suggesting a potential slowdown in supply growth [1] - The significant increase in international flight capacity, coupled with limited growth in domestic capacity, indicates an optimization of the domestic competitive landscape [1] Group 2: Pricing and Profitability Outlook - With high passenger load factors, there is an expectation for improvement in ticket pricing levels [1] - Current favorable conditions in oil prices and exchange rates are contributing to a trend of "not-so-slow" in the fourth quarter, with a substantial reduction in industry losses anticipated for Q4 2025 [1] - The industry is expected to release profitability elasticity in 2026, indicating a potential for improved financial performance [1]