China Achieves Record International Air Cargo Transport In February

China's aviation sector has witnessed a remarkable recovery in its international flight operations and achieved a historic milestone in cargo transport this February. According to China Central Television, the aviation industry saw a substantial year-on-year increase of 108.6 percent in cargo transported on international air routes, reaching 3.46 billion tonne-kilometres (tkm). This performance not only signifies a recovery but also marks the first instance of surpassing pre-pandemic levels, as highlighted by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The resurgence in air travel is further underscored by the nearly 4.9 million air passenger trips recorded in February, marking a consistent rise over three consecutive months. Notably, air routes between China and ASEAN countries led this surge with 1.94 million trips. Meanwhile, the connectivity between China and countries engaged in the Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) also showed robust growth, with passenger numbers recovering at a rate 6.2 percentage points higher than the overall international route average.

Additionally, air travel between China and Europe experienced a significant uptick, with 692,000 trips recorded, reflecting a 33.8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019. This growth has been attributed to China's recent policy changes aimed at easing entry for travellers, which has not only facilitated high-speed growth on key international routes but also bolstered China's international trade and export-oriented economy.

Zhong Shan, an economist from the Institute of Air Transport at the China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology, commented on the development. "The rapid development of the international aviation market indicates that China's economy has strong resilience," he stated.

In terms of cargo transport, February saw a record-setting performance with 216,000 tonnes of cargo transported on international routes by Chinese airlines. The largest share of this cargo, amounting to 92,000 tonnes, was carried on routes between China and Europe. Additionally, air cargo transport between China and BRI countries stood at 66,000 tonnes, showcasing a recovery rate that is 77.9 percentage points higher than the average for all international routes.

This accelerated recovery in both passenger and cargo transport underscores the resilience and robust growth of China's aviation sector. It reflects not only the industry's ability to rebound from global challenges but also its crucial role in supporting China's broader economic ambitions and international trade dynamics.

With inputs from WAM