Lunar New Year Without China’s Covid Zero Policy to Put Airlines to the Test
- Domestic travel expected to rebound ahead of international
- Pilot shortages may be particular pain point for carriers
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China’s weeklong Lunar New Year holiday, which kicks off Sunday, will be a key test for its aviation sector. As millions of people travel home to be with their families — the first proper reunions since Covid — the question is whether the same chaos seen at airports in other countries as they reopened will be replicated.
Endless queues, a lack of check-in staff and insufficient luggage handlers were common complaints worldwide once virus restrictions were lifted and people took to the skies. While there’s little evidence yet of that happening in China, mayhem could still ensue as big-city office workers — more likely to fly than catch a train — pack their bags.