Air China prepares 70,000 flights for the world’s biggest holiday migration

Air China has announced that it will operate around 70,000 flights during the 2026 Spring Festival travel rush, as China prepares for another surge of holiday travel during its most important annual celebration.

The Spring Festival travel period, known as chunyun, is expected once again to generate massive passenger flows as families reunite for the Lunar New Year. Often described as the largest seasonal migration in the world, the travel rush places enormous pressure on the country’s transport networks, with aviation playing an increasingly central role. As China’s flag carrier, Air China’s operational plan is seen as a key indicator of broader travel demand.

According to the airline, flight capacity will be strengthened on major domestic routes connecting large population and economic hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shenzhen. Additional services will also be arranged on routes linking migrant worker destinations and popular hometown corridors, which traditionally see the sharpest spikes in demand during the holiday period.

Air China said it will also expand international and regional services during the Spring Festival, particularly to destinations in Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea, as well as selected long-haul routes. The move reflects the steady recovery of outbound travel and growing interest in overseas holidays during the Lunar New Year, alongside traditional family visits.

Significant challenges 

To support the expanded schedule, the airline plans to deploy additional aircraft, fine-tune flight timetables and enhance co-ordination with airports and air traffic control authorities. Winter weather, airspace congestion and high passenger volumes have historically posed challenges during chunyun, making operational stability a priority.

The announcement comes as China’s civil aviation industry continues its post-pandemic recovery, navigating rising costs and competition from high-speed rail on short-distance routes. The Spring Festival period remains one of the most critical revenue windows for airlines, often setting the tone for performance in the year ahead.

For passengers, the planned increase in flights is expected to offer more options and improved connectivity during the holiday rush. However, demand is likely to remain intense, highlighting the enduring cultural importance of returning home for the Spring Festival - a tradition that continues to test the limits of China’s transport system each year.

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