China's Spring Festival Travel Rush Tests Capacity with Record 95 Million Air Passengers
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.
China's CAAC forecasts a record 95 million air passenger trips during the 40-day Spring Festival travel rush, pushing airlines like Air China to boost capacity 10%.
Key Takeaways
- •CAAC forecasts a record 95 million air passenger trips during the 40-day Spring Festival (Chunyun) travel rush, running from February 2 to March 13, 2026.
- •Daily flight volumes are expected to average 19,400, a 5% increase year-on-year, with Air China adding over 70,000 flights to its schedule.
- •Nine domestically produced COMAC C919 aircraft are being deployed on high-frequency domestic routes to manage the capacity surge.
- •The travel surge is split between northern 'ice-and-snow' tourism and southern 'winter escape' destinations, testing airport and ATC operational limits.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is managing a historic surge. The annual Spring Festival travel rush, known as Chunyun, began on February 2. This period aligns with the country's winter vacation season. The CAAC projects a record 95 million passenger trips by air. This massive volume is expected over the 40-day travel window. The rush runs from February 2 to March 13.
Industry Capacity and Flight Volume
Chinese airlines are mobilizing their fleets to meet this peak demand. The CAAC forecasts the national civil aviation system will handle 780,000 flights. This averages out to approximately 19,400 flights daily. This represents a 5% increase in daily flights year-on-year. The overall scale is set to surpass all previous historical peaks.
On the first day of the rush, February 2, 2026, the sector managed 19,080 flights. These flights carried an estimated 2.19 million passengers. The daily peak passenger flow may reach 2.6 million trips. Airlines are aggressively adding capacity to major hub airports.
Airline Operational Response
Major carriers are implementing significant capacity boosts. Flag-carrier Air China plans to operate over 70,000 flights. This marks an increase of more than 10% compared to 2025. The airline is focusing on high-demand trunk routes. These routes connect major city clusters like Beijing and Shanghai.
China Southern Airlines has also announced an unprecedented scale of operations. The carrier is increasing its flight schedules dramatically. It has added 13,000 extra services on over 260 routes. Many airlines are increasing night flights to maximize runway use.
New Aircraft and Popular Destinations
A notable development is the use of domestically produced aircraft. Air China has deployed nine COMAC C919 jets. These narrow-body aircraft are operating on regional, high-frequency routes. Routes include Beijing to Hangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Xi'an.
The travel surge is driven by two main tourism trends. One is ice-and-snow tourism in China's colder northern regions. The other is winter escape tourism to warmer southern resorts. Popular southern destinations include Sanya and Kunming. International travel is also seeing a peak. Southeast Asian destinations are the preferred choice for outbound travelers.
Challenges and Stakeholder Impact
The sheer volume presents significant operational challenges for airports and air traffic control. High-density operations require enhanced safety management. Airports serving northern destinations are improving services. This includes streamlining procedures for winter sports equipment. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is coordinating efforts to ensure safety and convenience. The successful management of this peak period is a key test. It demonstrates the Chinese aviation industry's post-pandemic recovery and capacity.
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Written by Ujjwal Sukhwani
Aviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience. Covers flight operations, safety regulations, and market trends with expert analysis.
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