China aviation market briefing
Flight data for China
July 2026
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How much airline capacity does China have in 2026?
Monthly scheduled capacity: July 2025 vs July 2026
Which is the biggest airline in China?
China Southern is the busiest airline this month with 12.3m seats and represents 15% of the domestic market in July 26. A close second, China Eastern Airlines holds 14% share of the domestic market ,with 11.9m seats in July 26.
Shandong Airlines and Xiamen Airlines Company reduced capacity by 7.1% and 4.3% respectively vs July 25. Spring Airlines increased capacity at the fastest rate again this month, increasing by 9.6% vs last year.
Seat capacity by airline
What is the busiest airport in China?
Baiyun International (CAN) remains China's busiest domestic airport this month, with 3.6m seats, capacity has increased by 3.7% vs last year.
| No | Code | Airport | Seats | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | CAN | Guangzhou Baiyun | 3.57m | +3.7% |
| 2. | PEK | Beijing Capital | 3.22m | +7.2% |
| 3. | SZX | Shenzhen | 3.19m | +3.9% |
| 4. | TFU | Chengdu Tianfu | 2.85m | +2.2% |
| 5. | PKX | Beijing Daxing | 2.82m | +12.8% |
| 6. | PVG | Shanghai Pudong | 2.82m | +15.0% |
| 7. | XIY | Xi'an Xianyang | 2.63m | +3.9% |
| 8. | KMG | Kunming | 2.61m | +3.5% |
| 9. | SHA | Shanghai Hongqiao | 2.46m | +2.6% |
| 10. | HGH | Hangzhou | 2.43m | +4.5% |
Source: OAG · July 2026 · hover chart or click a table row to cross-highlight
Beijing Capital (PEK) is the second busiest airport with 3.2m, an increase of 7.2% in capacity vs July 25.
Capacity increased at the fastest rate again in Shanghai Pudong, increasing by 15% vs July 25. Followed by Beijing Daxing which increased by 12.8% year on year.
What are the busiest domestic flight routes in China?
Beijing Capital Airport to Shanghai Hongqiao (PEK-SHA) route is the busiest route with 635,600 seats, an increase of 6.6% vs July 25. Shanghai Hongqiao to Shenzhen (SHA - SZX) moved to second busiest route this month, with 594,100 seats.
Capacity increased at the fastest rate on the Hangzhou to Shenzhen (HGH - SZX) route, increasing by 28.9% to 415,700 seats. Followed by Chengdu to Beijing Capital which increased by 18.9% vs last year to 472,900 seats. Capacity reduced most again on the Guangzhou Baiyun to Beijing Capital (CAN-PEK) route, with a drop of 5.1% vs July 25.
Source: OAG · July 2026 scheduled capacity
What is the busiest city for flights in China?
Beijing remains the busiest city this month with 6m seats operating through the 2 main airports in July 26, representing 7% of the market and growing by 10% vs last year. Capacity at Shanghai, the second busiest city with 5.3m seats, represents 6% share of the market.
Capacity at the city of Urumqi grew at the fastest rate of 13% remaining 10th busiest city.
Top 5 cities by seat capacity
Which Chinese province has the most flights?
The largest province for scheduled domestic airline capacity remains Guangdong Province, accounting for 8.6m seats which is 10% of all scheduled departing capacity in July 26. This represents 2.5m more seats than Beijing province, the second largest province.
Capacity grew at the fastest rate again in Xinjiang Province this month, by 14% vs last year.
Seat capacity by province
Where do Chinese airlines fly internationally?
The Republic of Korea remains the busiest international market with 1.1m seats, up 16% vs last year. Hong Kong is the second busiest international market, with779,200 seats, also increased by 9% vs July 25.
Top 10 international markets
Capacity to Japan continues to reduce significantly, and is down this month by 53% to 583,700 seats.
International capacity increased at the fastest rate to the Philippines and Türkiye by 63% and 56% respectively. Both remain smaller markets with 113,600 seats to/from the Philippines and 98,400 to/from Türkiye. Indonesia and Russia are also fast growing international markets, increasing by 33% and 27% respectively vs July 25.
China aviation: frequently asked questions
Flight data insights and aviation analysis focused on China's airline market , updated monthly with data powered by OAG's Schedules Analyser.
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Domestic capacity accounts for 84% of all seats to, from and within China this month, with 82.3m seats. Overall capacity grew by 4.3% vs last year, with domestic increasing by 4.7% and international capacity increasing by 2.5%.