Air travel in China increased significantly from the 1990’s.
The number of airports built and passengers taking flights boomed along with the rest of the domestic economy of China since 1992, the year Deng Xiaoping toured southern China and gave the green light to business development and the pursuit of personal wealth.
Along with the rapid rise of China’s air industry came an influx of new airlines.
Back in the day, the China Central Aviation Administration (CAAC) kept a tight rein on air routes and there were few competitors in the industry, matching the relatively sparse demand.
As the China liberalised its economy, large swaths of formerly stagnant industries came alive with the sound of money being made.
Domestic and international airlines in China developed in line with the growth of the aviation industry in China.
Airlines in China are ostensibly all under the aegis of CAAC. Two of the larger airlines other than Air China that fly internationally as well as operating extensive routes domestically are China Eastern and China Southern.
Hainan Airlines became very active in flying international routes in the 2000’s, adding many flights from 2015 onwards. The company was restructured after declaring bankruptcy in 2021.
The major Chinese airlines operating in China are:
* Air China
* China Eastern
* China Southern
* Hainan Airlines
* Juneyao Airlines
* Shanghai Airlines
* Shenzhen Airlines
* Sichuan Airlines
* Xiamen Airlines
Spring Airlines is one of the best known budget airlines in China and Shandong Airlines is one of the oldest of the minor airlines in China.