Core Insights - All listed airlines in A-shares have turned profitable in the first three quarters of this year after continuous losses since the pandemic, with Hainan Airlines becoming the new "profit king" [2][3][4] Group 1: Financial Performance - Hainan Airlines reported a net profit of 28.45 billion, surpassing Spring Airlines, which had been the most profitable airline for the past two years [4] - The three major state-owned airlines also achieved profitability in the third quarter, with China Southern Airlines earning 2.307 billion, China Eastern Airlines 2.103 billion, and Air China 1.87 billion [3] - Spring Airlines' net profit decreased by 6.17% year-on-year in the third quarter, and its profit for the first three quarters fell by 10.32% [5] 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 [5] - Domestic market ticket prices have been declining, impacting Spring Airlines' competitive edge as full-service airlines have lowered their prices to compete with low-cost carriers [5] - The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is focusing on regulating market pricing behavior, which may influence ticket pricing and revenue levels during the off-peak season [8] Group 3: Future Outlook - The fourth quarter's performance will be crucial for airlines to maintain profitability, as it traditionally marks the off-peak season [6] - Despite the off-peak season, there is a noticeable increase in business travel demand and cultural events supporting passenger flow [7] - The CAAC is collecting data from airlines to monitor costs and ensure fair competition, indicating a shift towards a more structured market environment [8]