The growth of Chinese airlines

[kelvedon]

An article published on the BBC discussing the growth in Chinese airlines international market share, with claims that big three - Air China, China Eastern and China Southern all receive subsidies from the central Chinese government, whilst the proliferation of regional airports have routes subsidised by local governments. The article goes on to say that the Chinese are not alone in doing this.

Why your next flight may go via China

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not to mention hundreds of US aircraft for Chinese carriers = thousands of US jobs.

I'm fairly relaxed with Chinese expansion. They offer safe transportation, have relatively comfortable cabins (good legroom), and their premium cabins get the job done with good value for money.

 

[kpc]

Our corporate TA does not quote on any Chinese airlines....yet !

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Our corporate TA does not quote on any Chinese airlines....yet !

For itineraries with connecting flights - probably fair enough. But the Chinese carriers have an impressive list of non-stops out of Australia, shaving hours off the alternatives. MEL-PVG being a prime example... non-stop on MU or CA but via SYD/SIN/BKK or HKG for the alternatives. Nice flight times on the non-stops and around three hours off the travel time each way.

 

[davidj]

Not to mention hundreds of US aircraft for Chinese carriers = thousands of US jobs.

Chinese made aircraft will take over quickly. Particularly after the trade tariffs fiasco.

 

[Melburnian1]

Our corporate TA does not quote on any Chinese airlines....yet !

Nor are they on the Commonwealth Govt's list of 'approved' airlines for public sector travel (although there's a very large number of airlines that aren't).

 

[kelvedon]

Nor are they on the Commonwealth Govt's list of 'approved' airlines for public sector travel (although there's a very large number of airlines that aren't).

Are you able to divulge which ones aren’t ? I think a read a few years ago Korean Airlines were on the US govt on fly list

 

[Melburnian1]

Are you able to divulge which ones aren’t ? I think a read a few years ago Korean Airlines were on the US govt on fly list

If you'll pardon me, it's easier to divulge which airlines are on the ;contracted airlines' list for Australian govt travel.

These are NZ, PX, BA, CX, EK, EY, FJ, AY, GA, LA, QF/JQ, QR, ZL, BI (a surprise!), SQ, TG and VA.

Some notable omissions include CI, DL, JL, KE, NH and PR: all safe airlines with (to and from Oz) good aircraft. You will note that no mainland Chinese airline is included (and nor is Taiwanese CI).

AY is a strange inclusion: it doesn't fly using own metal to from Oz, but one can of course book as a codeshare.

Domestic airline TT isn't on the list, but JQ is (again, odd). No suggestion lately that loosmaking TT is unsafe. TR is also not on the list and nor is MI, yet both are SQ subsidiaries.

Officials however are not restricted to using these airlines, but they are not encouraged (or expected) to use unsafe airlines. (Sounds redundant doesn't it?)