China Air Transportation Sector Report 2025-2026

China is the world's second-largest aviation market, trailing only the US. In 2024, China's air transportation sector sustained a strong rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, with both revenue and profit showing substantial year-on-year increases. Throughout the year, the sector's total operating revenue rose by 10.8% y/y to RMB 1,134.2bn. Meanwhile, bolstered by enhanced profitability across major private airlines, the sector achieved a total profit of RMB 120mn — the first profitable year since the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic. In 2024, China's three largest private airlines — Spring Airlines Co Ltd, Juneyao Airlines Co Ltd, and China Express Airlines Co Ltd — realised net profits of RMB 2.3bn, RMB 914mn, and RMB 268mn, respectively, while most large-scale state-owned airlines continued to incur net losses.

This report provides a complete and detailed analysis of the "Air transportation" sector for China. EMIS Insights presents in-depth business intelligence in a standard format across countries and regions, providing a balanced mix between analysis and data.

What this report allows you to do:

• Understand the key elements at play in the "Air transportation" sector in China
• Crystallise the forces both driving and restraining this sector in China
• Ascertain China’s position in the global sector
• Build a complete perspective on sector trade, investment and employment
• Understand the competitive landscape and who the major players are
• View M&A activity and major deals
• Gain an understanding of the regulatory environment for the sector in China.
• Build a clear picture of trends, output and consumption for specific sub-sectors