CNY fliers estimated to reach 58.3 million

Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the Chinese lunar calendar.  China’s most important holiday is a period that is seen to enshrine values like unity and family ties.

Citizens get a statutory seven-day holiday beginning on Chinese New Year’s Eve, which is January 27 this year.

That day also welcomes the Year of the Rooster. Traditionally, the celebrations span 16 days, from a family feast on New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival on day 15.

Throughout this festive season, China’s railways expect to host 356 million passengers during the 40-day official travel season, known as “Chun Yun.”

“Chun Yun” translates as “Spring Festival Transportation” and begins 15 days before the start of Chinese New Year.

During this period there is the estimated 58.3 million people who will board flights, up by 10 percent from 2016. In total, the government is anticipating a 2.2 percent increase to 2.98 billion journeys for the 2017 holidays, as many migrant workers seize their only chance in the year to flock from the cities back to their rural roots.

Despite sub-zero temperatures, China’s Ministry of Transportation stated that last year’s pilgrims travel an average of 255 miles.

The start of the Spring Festival last year coincided with the worst cold snap in China in 30 years, with blizzards in eastern and southern China delaying flights and trains. This year, weather forecasts predict more benign conditions and the horrendous pollution that marked the start of 2017 is expected to have mostly cleared.

In addition to the traditional travel routes, the rising wealth of the population has dispersed celebrations to scenic, and less chilly, venues than the wintry mainland.

Some of the most popular domestic spots are the tropical resort island of Hainan, the coastal city of Xiamen and Kunming, dubbed the “spring city” for its ever-pleasant weather. Popular international destinations include Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, South Korea and even the U.S.

Chinese New Year falls on different dates on the Gregorian calendar every year, and may begin any time from late January to mid-February. As a result, year-on-year comparisons of economic data are difficult to compile.

The central bank will also be watching carefully as the mass withdrawal of funds before the holiday puts a strain on liquidity as travelers exchange their yuan for foreign currency.

Aside from the travel industry that benefits from the Spring Festival, alcohol sellers in China have in the past recorded bumper sales during Chinese New Year. Luxury retailers at home and in countries like South Korea also count this among their make-or-break seasons.

AACM approves 40 additional flights for CNY

With the high demand from outbound travels of Macau residents and inbound travels of visitors during the Chinese New Year, the Civil Aviation Authority (AACM) has approved a total of 40 extra flights, including charter flights. The approved flights are to and from mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Vietnam, in accordance with the applications submitted by the airlines. The first of the approved extra and charter flights start today and will run until February 5, according to a statement issued by AACM. The applications for operating these flights were submitted by Air Macau, Juneyao Airlines and Vietjet.