China's post-holiday airfares fall more than 30%, reports say
In short
Average air ticket prices paid for October 10–31 were more than 30% below National Day holiday levels, according to online travel booking platform data reported by Chinese outlets. Some domestic routes had base fares of around 200–300 yuan, and several routes were cheaper than high-speed rail tickets.
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Air ticket prices in China have fallen after the National Day holiday as the number of tourists declined, according to reports citing CCTV News. Online travel booking platform data showed average prices paid for flights during October 10–31 were more than 30% lower than during the holiday. The reports said tickets on several routes were cheaper than high-speed rail fares, and described the period as a time for travel outside the holiday peak. [ 1 , 2 ]
Reported searches for the coming week showed base fares of around 200–300 yuan on flights from Beijing to Lanzhou, Quanzhou and Urumqi; from Shanghai to Lijiang and Shenyang; and from Guangzhou to Qingdao and Chengdu. Base fares to several destinations popular in autumn also declined. Examples included a Shanghai–Ordos flight on October 17 at 492 yuan and a Beijing–Altay flight on October 27 at 570 yuan. These domestic examples were reported as base ticket prices. [ 1 , 2 ]
International airfares also fell, with low-priced tickets available from several cities, the reports said. Searches for the coming week found Beijing–Seoul tickets starting at just over 500 yuan. Chengdu–Bangkok and Guangzhou–Kuala Lumpur flights had lowest fares of just over 300 yuan. CLS and Jiemian reported these examples as part of the post-holiday decline in prices. [ 1 , 2 ]
Accommodation prices were lower as well. At many destinations that had been popular during the National Day holiday, current average hotel prices were around 20% below holiday levels, according to the reports. CLS and Jiemian presented the hotel figures alongside the domestic and international airfare examples. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The reports link the price decline to fewer tourists after the National Day holiday. They also report lower international airfares and hotel prices at many destinations that were popular during the holiday.
Key facts
- Average air ticket prices paid for October 10–31 fell more than 30% from holiday levels. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Several air routes were cheaper than high-speed rail tickets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Selected domestic routes had base fares of around 200–300 yuan. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Hotel average prices at many holiday-popular destinations fell by around 20%. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nothing is confirmed by two independent outlets yet.
Still unclear
- The outlets reported a decline of more than 30% in average air ticket prices paid for October 10–31. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On October 10, CLS reported lower post-holiday airfares and hotel prices. [ 1 ]