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CHINA-AVIATION-COMPANY-AIRCHINA
Chinese airlines’ profit hit as yuan weakens, fuel costs rise
SHANGHAI, Oct 31, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – China’s major carriers saw their net
earnings shrink in the third quarter on higher fuel prices and the impact of
a weaker yuan even though demand in the world’s number two aviation market
remained brisk.
China Southern Airlines, Asia’s largest carrier, reported that July-
September profit halved to 2.0 billion yuan ($290 million) on-year, while
flag carrier Air China’s profit slumped to 3.5 billion yuan, down nearly 30
percent.
China Eastern Airlines earned 2.21 billion yuan in the period, a fall of
38 percent.
“Due to the rise in oil prices and the depreciation of the yuan against
the US dollar, the company’s net profit has declined,” Air China said.
The yuan has weakened to a decade-low level as it is hit by slowing
Chinese economic growth and trade tensions with the United States.
The three airlines have ramped up their presence in the booming domestic
market after previously expanding overseas routes, and profits had been
growing until the yuan and fuel prices began to bite in the second quarter.
The drag on profits came despite China Southern revenue in the past three
months rising 15.4 percent to 41.3 billion yuan, while Air China’s gained
12.3 percent on continued demand for domestic and overseas travel, especially
during summer.
China is now the world’s second-largest aviation market, and increasing
demand for air travel among its booming middle class is expected to
ultimately push it past the United States.
Last year, American Airlines, the world largest carrier by scheduled
passengers, bought $200 million worth of China Southern stock, or 8.8 percent
of its Hong Kong-listed shares, to seal a planned “long-term relationship”.
The tie-up will allow American to tap into the Chinese market, while
boosting China Southern’s ambitions of raising its global profile.
China Southern’s Shanghai-listed shares gained 1.86 percent on Wednesday
to 6.03 yuan, Air China’s rose 3.65 percent to 7.39 yuan, and China Eastern
was up 1.84 percent to 4.97 yuan.
BSS/AFP/HR/1215