9 Million Passengers Transported in China during 2023 Chinese New Year Holiday

13-02-23

Chinese New Year 2023: The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has released transport figures showing an incredible 9 million passengers were transported by air during the Chinese New Year holiday period.

From January 21 to 27, 2023 – the eve and the first six days of Chinese New Year – 9 million passengers were carried. This represents an increase of 79.8% over the period in 2022.

CAAN stated that all aviation operators involved followed the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the CPC.  The requirements and overarching plan on securing transport during the festival was made by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

According to the Chinese aviation regulator, the industry successfully accommodated relatively intensive travel demands over the festive period. The passenger uplift included home-going passengers and those returning to work or school.

Air transport statistics

The average passenger load factor of Chinese flights in the seven-day holiday reached 76%. This is 20 percentage points higher than that in 2022.

A total of 83,844 flights were operated with an average of 11,977 flights per day, an increase of 33.6% over that of 2022.

Overall flight regularity reached 98.2%, up by 1.1 percentage points from 2022.

During the festive period, Song Zhiyong, Administrator of CAAC, visited Beijing Daxing International Airport to greet the front-line industry staff who stayed at their posts during the Spring Festival.

Song Zhiyong then visited the aircrew of China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines respectively. Song shook hands with them one by one, gave flowers, and took photos with them in the cabin.

“Happy Chinese New Year and thank you for your hard work”, said Song, expressing his appreciation for their efforts throughout the year and paying tribute to their dedication to work during the Chinese New Year.

Song characterised 2022 as a remarkable year for the nations aviation sector, and said that the entire industry had strictly followed the requirements of the Party Central Committee.

Song mixed with air crews, asking one captain about his career and asking the chief flight attendants about the number of passengers of that day.

At the west control tower of Beijing Daxing International Airport, Song inquired about the support for flights during the Chinese New Year in detail and sent greetings to the controllers on duty.

Song said that air traffic control (ATC) is critical for ensuring flight safety, and congratulated staff on their services over 2022.

The CAAC Administrator also greeted the security screening staff, ambassadors, armed police and public security personnel at the airport, extended gratitude to them for their hard work in ensuring the safe development of civil aviation.

He wished everyone good health and happiness, a successful career as well as good luck in the Year of Rabbit.