China Increases Domestic Flights

According to the Xinhua News Agency, "The Aviation Authority will increase domestic flights by 34 percent above pre-Covid-19 levels, a move that will boost the recovery of airlines in the country after the pandemic." Major airlines in China announced their first quarterly profits in more than three years this past Friday, raising hopes that the three major state-owned airlines in China are finally overcoming the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Xinhua reported on Friday that "the Civil Aviation Administration will release the flight plan for the winter and spring seasons tomorrow, Sunday, which will last until March 30." The report indicated that "the plan will include 96,651 domestic flights weekly, a 34 percent increase compared to the same period four years ago, with 7,202 new flights added and the launch of 516 new domestic routes." Xinhua clarified that the increase in domestic flights will enhance connections between regional airports in western and southern China and the major airports in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou.