China’s civil aviation industry demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth throughout 2025, according to official data released at the national civil aviation work conference in Beijing. The comprehensive performance metrics reveal an industry experiencing robust expansion across all key operational areas.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) reported a total transportation turnover of 164.08 billion tonne-kilometers for the year, representing a substantial 10.5% increase compared to 2024 figures. Passenger traffic showed strong recovery with 770 million travelers taking to the skies, marking a 5.5% year-on-year growth. The cargo sector emerged as particularly dynamic, with mail and freight volume reaching 10.17 million tonnes – an impressive 13.3% surge from the previous year.
CAAC Director Song Zhiyong highlighted the industry’s overall stable development trajectory, noting that all major objectives and operational tasks had been successfully accomplished. International routes experienced extraordinary growth, with passenger traffic jumping 21.6% annually. Specific regional markets showed exceptional performance: Latin American routes skyrocketed by 108.6%, while connections to Central Asia, West Asia, and Africa increased by 59.3%, 33.4%, and 39% respectively.
Financial performance showed significant improvement as the industry recorded combined profits totaling 6.5 billion yuan (approximately $926.28 million). Looking forward to 2026, projections indicate continued expansion with anticipated transportation turnover of 175 billion tonne-kilometers, passenger traffic of 810 million, and cargo volume of 10.7 million tonnes, signaling sustained momentum in China’s aviation sector.