China maintains a gradual recovery in the airline industry. According to civil aviation authorities. Freight was 86.7% of that recorded in August, with a total of 546,000 tons of cargo handled in August, according to statistics from the Administration.
The freighter recorded around 220,000 tonnes of cargo in August, an increase of 20.01% compared to the same period last year. On the passenger traffic side, China announced this month the lifting of restrictions on the limit of weekly flights on 49 domestic routes, it is preparing for a peak in traffic with Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day.
CAAC Development Planning Department Deputy Director Zhang Qing said 45.54 million passenger trips last month were recorded, nearly 75 percent of the figure reported in August last year. The domestic market is recovering faster, registering nearly 45.35 million passengers in August (over 80% of August 2019 level), marking the highest month this year.
On the international market, the decline is somewhat felt following government restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. Statistics show 189,000 passengers carried in August, representing an annual decline of 97.3%.
Lifting restrictions on the weekly flight limit on 49 domestic routes provides a wide choice and flexibility to operate passenger flights to and from busy airports.
The first major Airbus market
China is considered the first major market where European aircraft maker Airbus has recorded a significant recovery since the start of the Covid epidemic, according to the company which said 100 planes will be delivered this year. Airbus has already delivered 14 planes to China during the first six months of the year, 14 more between July and August, which actively contributes to the pace of the recovery.
2020 is a difficult year for the entire airline industry. Airbus had to work a lot to be able to ensure the order from China during the following months. According to experts, the Chinese market is very important for Airbus, where the pandemic is under control, which has allowed the full takeover of the Tianjin plant which serves as Airbus’ first final assembly line for single-aisle aircraft as well as the leading finishing center for large carriers outside of Europe.
It should be noted that China plays an important role in the Airbus supply chain, which is resuming smoothly. The aircraft manufacturer would even like to cooperate with the various companies in the field of artificial intelligence and digitization, according to what has been communicated.
Freight is growing better, prompting Airbus to consider a type of aircraft that can meet the needs expressed in terms of performance, efficiency and costs.
300 aircraft ordered worldwide, against 768 last year, the impact of the pandemic is being felt even at Airbus, which plans to cut 15,000 jobs worldwide, also canceling smaller investment projects, in order to keep cash flow to deal with any difficulties that arise.