China Eastern Airlines Plans To Resume 70-80% Of Flights By June In Coronavirus Recovery Push

China Eastern Airlines, the country’s second-largest domestic carrier, plans to resume 70-80% of flights by the end of June and make further increases through August.

China’s airlines are adding flights to coincide with the Labor Day holiday as well as the seasonal schedule change that was deferred from late March to May 3.

The domestic market is seeing over 6,000 daily flights from all airlines, implying a recovery of around half, according to data provider Airsavvi. Domestic flights sharply increased in early March but then made few capacity gains as airlines grew passenger volumes and improved load factors and yields.

Larger aircraft are due to be restored to trunk routes. Airlines used widebodies to maximize capacity between cities with slot constraints, but after coronavirus mostly used narrowbody aircraft.

On the Shanghai-Guangzhou route, China Eastern in May plans to mostly use narrowbody aircraft. By early June it expects widebodies to operate almost all flights, its schedules show.

China Eastern reported a RMB5,688 million ($803 million) loss in the first quarter, covering the outbreak period. That was a $1.2 billion change from last year’s RMB2,810m ($397m) profit. Traffic fell by 54% and its load factor dropped 15 points to 68%.

The airline announced its new VP as Liu Tiexiang, whose long career at Air China included chief pilot and most recently COO. His transfer from Beijing-based Air China comes as China Eastern grows in the capital city by adding flights at new airport Beijing Daxing.

The expansion includes China Eastern breaking Air China’s near local monopoly on blue-chip intercontinental flights. China Eastern plans to later open a Beijing Daxing-Paris flight.

China Eastern’s 70-80% resumption by the end of June was given by regulator CAAC’s publishing arm. It said the CAAC had a four stage plan for domestic flight recovery, including further gains by the end of August.

The projection did not specify which segment the recovery would be in, but implies the domestic market. Foreign travel restrictions and China’s own limitations preclude a significant number of flights beyond the mainland. China is limiting each airline to just one flight per week per country.

Domestic flying comprised 66% of China Eastern’s passenger revenue last year.

While most global airlines plan a skeleton schedule in May, Chinese airlines can use cheap fuel prices to woo passengers for domestic services. China has set aviation fuel in May at RMB1680 ($237) per ton, down from RMB3029 ($428).

But consumers are only gradually resuming previous purchasing habits, affecting industries beyond travel.

For passengers who do return, the experience has some adjustments. A robot at China Eastern’s Shanghai Pudong lounge will greet travellers and remind them to wear a mask.

China Southern is suspending online web and app check-in so passengers can complete health declarations at the airport. Any queues need social distancing in place.

Spring Airlines is offering an empty middle seat for RMB100 ($14) while Air Changan is letting passengers buy up to eight empty seats.

While airlines are curtailing in-flight refreshment services, travellers may appreciate other changes. Lavatories will be cleaned more regularly and passengers will be asked to make room around the baggage claim.

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