Air Passenger Loads Rise for China’s Big Three Airlines

China’s three largest carriers lost 190 billion yuan ($27.7 billion) over the last three years as Covid upended travel

(Bloomberg) — Passenger loads at China’s top three airlines are rebounding as travel picks up again, boosted by people flying to their hometowns for the Lunar New Year holidays after nearly three years of Covid restrictions.

China Southern Airlines Co. filled 72.7% of its seats in January, the highest passenger load factor among the trio, exchange filings show. That was up from 63% a year ago. Air China Ltd. was next, with a passenger load factor of 69.9% for the month, followed by China Eastern Airlines Corp., at 68.3%.