China's Top Three Airlines Profitable in First Six MonthsChina's top three airlines, Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines, became profitable in the first half of this year.Statistics from the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) show, Air China earned 6.1 billion yuan during that period, up 13.78 percent on an annual basis. China Southern Airlines completed a transport turnover of 1.1 billion ton-kilometer, carrying 7.89 million people and 200,000 tons of freight by the end of June, respectively, up 18.6, 10 and 11.3 percent. China Eastern Airlines fulfilled a transport turnover of 757 million ton-kilometer, carrying 3.95 million passengers and 129,000 tons of freight. Civil Aviation of China announced last month that China will establish three aviation groups based on the top three companies. The good performance of the three aviation giants has offered strong support for the restructuring, local analysts said. Early in August, China Southern Airlines merged with Zhongyuan Airlines, marking the beginning of the restructuring of China's civil aviation industry. |
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