Chinese state airlines mired in losses while airport earnings climb

Air China's stake in recovering Cathay softens blow; Hong Kong's GBA scraps over 100 flights

20250127 China Eastern aircraft in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines remains the biggest money loser among the country's major state carriers. The photo shows one of its planes at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, which said its net profit likely doubled last year and officially opened a fourth runway on Jan. 23. © Getty Images

KENJI KAWASE

HONG KONG -- China's major state airlines continue to rack up losses and trail their regional peers, even as the country's major airport operators reap benefits of returning passenger traffic.

In the run-up to the Lunar New Year holidays starting this week, Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines said its net loss last year could reach up to 4.3 billion yuan ($592 million). That would once again make it the biggest loser among the big three carriers.

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