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Lunar New Year 2025: Japan replaces Thailand as the top international market for Mainland China this peak travel season
Each Lunar New Year, air travel in Mainland China enters one of its busiest and most dynamic periods.
By Pang Yee Huat
Solutions Consultant at Cirium
- 25% surge in international capacity, driving total capacity up by 4%
- PEK-SHA overtakes SHA-CAN as the top domestic route
- Japan, Thailand and South Korea are the top international markets
Each Lunar New Year, air travel in Mainland China enters one of its busiest and most dynamic periods. A closer look at capacity trends during this period reveals steady growth and shifting demand. Total capacity has risen by 4% compared to the previous year, driven by a remarkable 25% surge in international capacity, while domestic capacity remains consistent with 2024 levels. These changes underscore the resilience and evolving nature of the aviation industry as it adapts to heightened demand during this festive season.
Domestic air capacity in 2025 holds steady compared to 2024 levels, but significant shifts are visible within the country’s busiest routes. Notable increases are observed on key routes such as Beijing–Shanghai (PEK-SHA), Shanghai–Harbin (PVG-HRB), and Chengdu–Shenzhen (CTU-SZX). Among these, PEK-SHA has overtaken SHA-CAN as the top domestic route for 2025. Additionally, PVG-HRB climbed from 11th place to 7th place in 2025. Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX) stands out, with four of its routes among the top 10 domestic routes for this Lunar New Year period.
International capacity, meanwhile, continues its positive trajectory. Three key markets—Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam—exhibit particularly strong performance. Japan has overtaken Thailand to become Mainland China’s top international market, with an impressive 59% increase in capacity. This growth is driven not only by capacity increase on existing routes but also by a significant 46% rise in the number of new routes introduced since last year.
Another growth market, Vietnam, also sees a 35% increase in routes to Mainland China, growing from 35 routes in 2024 to 47 in 2025. Among these new connections, one interesting addition is Qingdao Airlines’ Haiphong–Nanning (HPH-NNG) route, which is the only route connecting Mainland China to Haiphong. These developments highlight the growing accessibility of international travel.
Chinese carriers continue to dominate international capacity during the Lunar New Year period. China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Air China collectively account for 39% of total international capacity. This dominance reflects the pivotal role of Chinese airlines in meeting the surging demand for both domestic and international travel during this festive season.
The Lunar New Year period offers insights into the broader recovery and transformation of air travel in Mainland China. As travelers reunite with loved ones and explore new destinations, aviation’s capacity growth and introduction of new routes promises greater opportunities and connectivity in the near future.
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