Chinese airlines ramp up operations as travel rush gets underway

China's aviation sector is witnessing an unprecedented surge in passenger demand as the annual Spring Festival travel rush began on Jan 14. Airlines are ramping up operations to cater to the booming international travel market during this 40-day travel peak, which concludes on Feb 22.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) forecasts daily passenger trips will surpass 2.25 million, supported by an average of 18,500 flights per day — a significant 8.4 percent increase compared to last year. Total passenger volume is expected to set new records, driven by growing demand for both domestic and international travel.