China's Chunyun Air Travel Hits Record 95 Million; Airports Boost Winter Tech.

The world's largest human migration, the China Spring Festival travel rush (or chunyun), has begun. Authorities expect a record 9.5 billion inter-regional trips over 40 days.

Civil aviation is a key part of this massive movement. China civil aviation authorities project a record air passenger volumes of 95 million. This volume is expected to set new records for overall scale and peak daily traffic. The Spring Festival holiday falls on February 17 this year.

Record Air Passenger Volumes

The projected record air passenger volumes of 95 million highlight the immense strain on the network. This figure reflects increased chunyun aviation capacity across the country. The demand is driven by family reunions and a growing trend of holiday travel. The sheer scale of the migration requires careful planning from airlines and airports. Global bodies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) monitor such large-scale movements closely.

Airport Operational Readiness

Airports are deploying new technology to manage the rush. Wuhan Tianhe International Airport is a prime example of operational readiness. The airport anticipates approximately 27,000 flights during the chunyun period. This is an increase of 2.5 percent from the previous year.

To combat winter weather, the airport uses a smart de-icing management system. This technology helps keep flights on schedule. Following a recent snow event, crews cleared nearly 4 million square meters of surfaces. They completed the task in under five hours, cutting the required time by about half. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) emphasizes safety and efficiency during this critical season. Major aircraft suppliers, including Boeing and Airbus, support these operations with their fleets.

Shifting Travel Patterns

The nature of the China Spring Festival travel rush is changing. The traditional pattern of workers returning to rural hometowns is shifting. A growing trend is the "reverse Spring Festival trip." This involves parents traveling to big cities to spend the holiday with their children.

• Elderly air travel trends show significant growth.
• Air ticket bookings for passengers aged 60 and above rose over 35% year-on-year.
• The number of travelers over 60 buying their first-ever air tickets increased by 22%.

Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are top destinations for these travelers. Family visits are also increasingly combined with tourism. Short-distance trips and winter tourism are gaining popularity. This shift boosts consumption in dining and accommodation. The evolving chunyun reflects the growing vitality of China's economy.

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