Chinese airlines domestic recovery gains momentum

October traffic results for the big three Chinese airlines show a robust recovery, with passenger traffic up to 77% of 2019’s level with a 69% load factor in October. While, their domestic capacity recovered to 94% of 2019’s level, international traffic remained lacklustre. In a research note, Parash Jain, Head of Shipping & Ports & Asia Transport at HSBC, commented that the bank expects the domestic market to ramp up swiftly once the COVID-19 situation is controlled: “We are optimistic that pent-up demand for travel will quickly bounce back once the pandemic subsides, supporting the recovery of the domestic market.