China’s ‘Big Three’ see December domestic traffic decline as Omicron rages on

China’s three largest carriers saw a decline in December domestic traffic amid the fast-growing spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in the country, though traffic for the full year inched up slightly against 2020’s lower base. The ‘Big Three’ — comprising Air China, China Eastern Airlines, as well as China Southern Airlines — reported decreases in domestic passengers carried against the same period in 2020. However, they carried more passengers in December than in November. Air China carried 4.2m domestic passengers during the month, more than 37% lower year on year. Against November, it represented a 39% jump. Domestic traffic fell 38% year on year, while capacity decreased nearly 34%. Compared to November, Air China’s domestic traffic levels rose 40%, with capacity increasing 32%. Story has other carrier results.<br/>