China airlines lead global growth in 2017

Chinese airlines have led the global growth of air travel in 2017 to date.[Photo: zgq.gov.cn]

Chinese airlines have led the global growth of air travel in 2017 to date, recording an astonishing fourteen percent rise of capacity compared to the same period in 2016.

That's according to industry publication anna.aero, who report that of the fastest growing fifteen airlines in Asia, eight are Chinese, with the top three being China Southern (who grew their seat capacity by ten percent over the year,) China Eastern (nine percent) and Air China (eight percent).

The other Chinese carriers included in the top fifteen were Xiamen Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Shandong Airlines.

When it came to airports in Asia, again anna.aero discovered that China was leading growth in the region.

Eight of the fifteen fastest growing airports were in China. Nevertheless, Jakarta in Indonesia did beat off strong competition from Kunming, Hangzhou and Zhengzhou to be crowned the Asian airport with the largest annual growth in seat capacity when compared to the same period last year.

In 2016, we reported that the rapid growth of air travel in China is placing a strain on the ability of airlines to find and train suitably experienced pilots.

That's led to claims that experienced Captains and First Officers are leaving US and European airlines in large numbers to live and work in the country.

Apparently, China's air travel market will require as many as 100 new pilots a week for the next 20 years to support growth.

With a potential shortage on their hands, the airlines are now offering salaries that can be four times higher than their European and US equivalent. 

With travel grants and income tax relief also available, alongside the chance to live in China, it's no wonder that they're attracted!