Cheap flights coming? - China’s back

papeto

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So it appears Air China and China Southern have wasted no time increasing the number of flights to Australia now that China has openend up to the world again ( see link below) .

What do you think:
- Will it lower prices ( and keep in mind China can overfly Russia to europe) for Australians travelling to the US and Europe? or
- No impact as all flights will be full as Chinese start travelling again after nearly 3 years of being locked in ?
All armchair CEO’s are invited to comment ;).
 
I imagine the initial flights will be completely full with Chinese students arriving in time for the start of the Australian academic year, but after that wave subsides I think they will start to downward pressure on airfares.
 
At the moment China is not open for tourism, just returning students, approved business and family visits. So unless you have Chinese family connections or a business visa; right now it would be risky to book flights transiting Chinese mainland given if there are issues you cant enter China.
 
I imagine the initial flights will be completely full with Chinese students arriving in time for the start of the Australian academic year, but after that wave subsides I think they will start to downward pressure on airfares.
But that could mean some otherwise empty planes going back.
At the moment China is not open for tourism, just returning students, approved business and family visits. So unless you have Chinese family connections or a business visa; right now it would be risky to book flights transiting Chinese mainland given if there are issues you cant enter China.
This is all moving very fast. When we drop PCR testing requirements, I suspect the China border will open up more.
While sensible folk will avoid CCP airlines like the plague, there are enough non-sensible people that I think it’ll push airfares down.
and we can take the other options :)
 
This is all moving very fast. When we drop PCR testing requirements, I suspect the China border will open up more.

China have not yet dropped PCR requirments for arrivals into China. I think it has naught to do with fact that other countries require a PCR (given China require the same) and more to do with seeing how China's health system copes with the large influx of family visits before opening further.

It will make no difference to my travel plans as I have no intention to transit mainland China. However, if others choose to and that frees up seats and reduces prices on routes I will travel then that is a good thing.
 
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It will make no difference to my travel plans as I have no intention to transit mainland China. However, if others choose to and that frees up seats and reduces prices on routes I will travel then that is a good thing.
Ditto. But we want others to be able to transit China 😉
 
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I once flew Air China in Y en route to the US. On that flight, I became thirsty. I asked the stewardess if I could please have a glass of water. She simply answered "No" without even looking at me.
This reminds me complaints from my friends (I’m mainland Chinese) when they asked for hot water on Qantas from PVG to SYD a few years ago, the answer is a straight no…
 
Slightly off topic but not completely, I noticed the hotel prices in HK are dirt cheap in Feb/Mar.

Unfortunately have to do double covid tests (one inbound, one outbound).
 
After CNY, of course the competition will reduce prices, as many will convert the hop into a transit. There is also pent up demand - after that fades ... Australia has done many things to damage budget local tourism besides the floods and fire being unfix-able, as are reduced caravan options.
 
This is another off topic, but how did you get your example of QF flights in the old calendar view. I haven't been able to get that for at least two years now & I used to use it constantly.
 
This is another off topic, but how did you get your example of QF flights in the old calendar view. I haven't been able to get that for at least two years now & I used to use it constantly.
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