Contributor - Asia

Jennifer Meszaros

State-owned China Southern Airlines has laid plans to move 50 percent of its Beijing flights to the capital’s new mega-hub, Daxing International, as part of a larger industry effort to prepare for the upcoming summer season. According to the Guangzhou-based carrier, plans call for it to transfer half of its flights operating at Beijing International Capital Airport to Daxing by May 2 and increase the proportion of flights from the new airport to 60 percent by March 2021. Once complete, the airline, which employs a dual-hub strategy from Beijing and its base in Guangzhou, expects to control a 43 percent market share at the newly built airport.

 


The move coincides with China’s plans to accelerate the resumption of flights as it battles to contain the Covid-19 outbreak. According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Daxing plans for an average of 75 flights per day and an estimated daily volume of approximately 8,000 passengers between April 12 to May 2. The CAAC on Sunday said it had carried out a series of airport drills and inspections in anticipation of the new transfer and is urging all operators “to jointly prepare” for the upcoming summer season to ensure Daxing operates safely and efficiently amid the pandemic.

 


Last month saw three additional Chinese-based carriers—Xiamen Airlines, Chongqing Airlines, and Donghai Airlines—signal their intent to transfer all services from Beijing Capital to Daxing starting on March 29. State-owned China Eastern Airlines, which on April 8 operated the first domestic flight from Wuhan since the outbreak of the pandemic, said it would relocate some of its flights by April 26. Meanwhile, UAE national carrier Etihad Airways announced in March that it will move to the flights it operates between Abu Dhabi and Beijing Capital and between Beijing and Japan’s Nagoya International to Daxing starting in June 2020. Despite a drastic drop in demand on key routes, Etihad chief commercial officer Robin Kamark said that the airline remains “optimistic” that conditions would improve by summer.

 


Opened in September 2019,&nbsp;authorities designed Daxing International to accept traffic overflow from Beijing’s existing Capital International Airport. While China's aviation industry&nbsp;is now showing some signs of recovery following the re-introduction of capacity—particularly in the domestic market—Beijing Capital said that it anticipates a further reduction in revenue due to the planned transfer of flights to Daxing. &nbsp;Nevertheless, Beijing Capital is currently examining further fee reductions for airport tenants in line with the government’s plan to help the industry weather the financial effects of Covid-19.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

China Southern Prepares Move to Daxing International

Authorities expect Daxing Airport to host an average of 75 flights per day and an estimated daily volume of 8,000 passengers between April 12 to May 2.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Howard Hardee

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

More In Airlines

Skyhop Plans Island Routes With Noemi's Electric Seaplane

Agreement between start-ups could lead to orders for up to 15 aircraft

A220’s Performance Drives BermudAir’s Fleet Growth

Airline plans to gradually replace its Embraer E-Jet fleet

Air India Backs SkyDrive Emergency Medical eVTOL Plans

Partners say eVTOLs could accelerate response times in crowded Indian cities

Airbus Balances Shareholder Returns and New Aircraft

Rival Boeing arguably claimed bragging rights at the Farnborough International show

Virgin Firms Up eVTOL Air Taxi Alliance with Joby

Connections to London Heathrow and Manchester airports will start first

ATR Chases New Regional Markets for Twin Turboprops

Iran war and wider geopolitical pressure stall buying decisions

Embraer Racks Up E-Jet Orders at Farnborough

30 firm orders led by Abra

Gulf Air May Buy JetZero’s Blended-wing-body Z4

Japan Airlines also expresses interest at Farnborough Airshow

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN