China's civil aviation sector is expected to handle 19.2 million passenger trips during the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday starting Wednesday, according to data released by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on Sunday.
The country's National Day is celebrated on Oct 1, with the official holiday period running from Oct 1 to 7. This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on Oct 6, creating a combined holiday period extending from Oct 1 to 8.
"As predicted, the number of passenger trips during this year's Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday may reach 19.2 million, an increase of 3.6 percent over the same period last year, marking a record high for the same period in history," said Xiong Jie, chief pilot of the CAAC.
According to Xiong, travelers have grown noticeably more rational in recent years. Many are choosing to set out after the peak, smoothing early-holiday numbers, so the real surge is expected in the second half of the holiday.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival landing on the sixth day of the holiday, most travelers are expected to head home at once, so the last two days of the holiday are expected to deliver the biggest rush of the holiday -- daily numbers could match or even top this summer's record 2.56 million.
Traditionally popular domestic routes remain among top choices, and passenger volume at several small and medium-sized airports in tourist destinations has also been growing rapidly.
Ten international aviation hub cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Kunming, Xi'an, Urumqi, and Harbin - are expected to handle 17 million passengers trips.
"Thanks to continuously improved visa-free policies, departure tax refund measures, payment systems, and travel facilitation at China's international gateways, the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday is expected to see a fresh surge in outbound travelers. Short-haul destinations in East and Southeast Asia are anticipated to experience a significant increase in bookings, while travel to South Asia and Europe is also poised to rise noticeably," Xiong said.
China forecasts 19.2 mln air passenger trips during upcoming holiday
