China’s biggest airlines are planning more international flights, a sign that the government is aware of the country’s growing isolation as it persists with lockdowns and mass testing -- hallmarks of its Covid Zero policy.
China Southern Airlines Corp, the country’s biggest carrier by passenger volume, will resume services to Bangkok, Tokyo, Jakarta, Dubai and Manila among other destinations at the end of the month, the Paper reported.
China Eastern Airlines Corp, which has been severely constricted by virus lockdowns in Shanghai, will operate 108 international flights a week from Oct 30 on 42 routes, including to Tokyo, Seoul and Dubai, according to an announcement on its Weibo social media account Weibo, up from 54 flights and 25 routes now. Air China Ltd resumed services in late September from various Chinese cities to Manila, Jakarta, Tokyo, Athens, Vancouver and Los Angeles. Hainan Airlines announced on Weibo on Oct 15 that it would add a second weekly flight between Chongqing and Rome from Nov 6.
Despite the damage it is doing to the world’s second-biggest economy, President Xi Jinping has staunchly defended his Covid Zero policy and avoided setting a timeline for when China might join other countries in living with the virus, hailing his strategy for saving lives. Pushback against the approach appears to be growing, however, especially in major cities as authorities continue to impose lockdowns and mandatory testing on millions of people.
There have already been signs of a slight thawing of border controls. In June, China cut hotel quarantine time for arrivals to seven days, and the aviation regulator said the following month that international flights should be resumed in a safe and orderly manner. The cost of remaining isolated is becoming increasingly apparent, with the International Monetary Fund warning that China’s economic growth will likely slow to 3.2% this year, way below the government’s 5.5% goal.
China Southern shares rose as much as 3.6% in Hong Kong on Tuesday morning, while China Eastern added as much as 5.6% and Air China jumped 5.1%. Beijing Capital International Airport Co advanced 3.1%.
For now, flights in and out of China remain at about 95% below pre-Covid levels, according to data provider VariFlight.