Core Viewpoint - The competition between civil aviation and high-speed rail on the Beijing-Shanghai route is intensifying, with civil aviation showing a significant growth rate that has surpassed that of high-speed rail in recent years [3][7][12]. Group 1: Overview of the Beijing-Shanghai Route - The Beijing-Shanghai route is a critical transportation corridor connecting two of China's largest cities, with high passenger demand and profitability for both civil aviation and high-speed rail [5][13]. - The high-speed rail can cover the distance in approximately 4 hours and 18 minutes, while flights take less than 2 hours, making both modes of transport competitive [5][6]. Group 2: Recent Developments in Civil Aviation - Starting from May 2025, a new cross-airline ticket transfer service will be implemented between Shanghai Hongqiao and Beijing Capital airports, enhancing travel efficiency for passengers [6][9]. - In May 2024, passenger numbers for Eastern Airlines on the Beijing-Shanghai route increased by approximately 20.6%, while Air China saw a growth of 4.6% [10][11]. Group 3: Growth Trends and Performance Metrics - Civil aviation's passenger growth on the Beijing-Shanghai route has been remarkable, with 2023 and 2024 seeing passenger numbers of 689.9 million and 861.3 million, representing year-on-year growth of 269.52% and 24.84% respectively [11][16]. - In contrast, high-speed rail reported a decrease in passenger numbers from 5325.2 million in 2023 to 5201.6 million in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 209.1% and a decline of 2.3% [16][17]. Group 4: Competitive Strategies - Civil aviation is adopting aggressive pricing strategies to capture market share, with average ticket prices for economy class dropping significantly [17]. - High-speed rail is responding by increasing train frequency and enhancing service quality, including flexible pricing and improved passenger experience [22][23]. Group 5: Future Outlook - The competition between civil aviation and high-speed rail is expected to continue evolving, with potential for deeper integration of services, such as "air-rail intermodal" solutions [23].

Core Viewpoint - The competition between civil aviation and high-speed rail on the Beijing-Shanghai route is intensifying, with civil aviation showing a significant growth rate that surpasses high-speed rail despite the latter having a much larger passenger volume [3][7][12]. Group 1: Overview of the Beijing-Shanghai Route - The Beijing-Shanghai route is a critical transportation corridor connecting two of China's largest cities, with a distance of approximately 1300 kilometers [5][19]. - High-speed rail offers a travel time of about 4 hours and 18 minutes, while flights take less than 2 hours [5]. - The route is characterized by high passenger demand, particularly from business travelers, making it a lucrative market for both high-speed rail and civil aviation [9][13]. Group 2: Recent Developments in Civil Aviation - Starting from May 2025, a new cross-airline ticket transfer service will be implemented between Shanghai Hongqiao and Beijing Capital airports, enhancing travel efficiency for passengers [6][9]. - In May 2024, Eastern Airlines and Air China reported a significant increase in passenger numbers on the Beijing-Shanghai route, with Eastern Airlines seeing a 20.6% year-on-year increase and Air China a 4.6% increase [10][11]. - The average seat occupancy rate for flights on this route has also improved, with Eastern Airlines reaching 92.7% and Air China 86.6% in late May 2024 [11]. Group 3: Comparison of Passenger Growth Rates - Civil aviation's passenger growth on the Beijing-Shanghai route has been remarkable, with 689.9 million and 861.3 million passengers in 2023 and 2024, respectively, reflecting year-on-year growth rates of 269.52% and 24.84% [11][16]. - In contrast, high-speed rail reported a decrease in passenger numbers, with 5325.2 million and 5201.6 million passengers in the same years, showing a growth of 209.1% and a decline of 2.3% [16][17]. - The total passenger volume for high-speed rail remains significantly higher than that of civil aviation, with high-speed rail carrying 5201.6 million passengers in 2024 compared to civil aviation's 861.3 million [11][16]. Group 4: Pricing and Market Dynamics - The average ticket price for domestic economy class flights has decreased by 15.9% year-on-year, making air travel more attractive compared to high-speed rail [17]. - On specific routes, such as Shanghai to Beijing, flight prices can be as low as 310 yuan, which is cheaper than high-speed rail tickets [17]. - The competitive pricing strategies of airlines are seen as a key factor in attracting passengers away from high-speed rail [17][21]. Group 5: Future Trends and Innovations - The civil aviation industry is encouraged to adopt practices from high-speed rail to enhance service efficiency and customer experience [22][23]. - Experts suggest that the future of competition may involve deeper integration of air and rail services, potentially through "air-rail intermodal" services [23].