Recovery of Chinese low-cost carriers after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.

This study conducts a detailed analysis of the response of China's low-cost carriers (LCCs) to the threats posed by the pandemic from a route network perspective, aiming to explore the resilience of LCCs and Chinese airlines. Using geographic visualization and network analysis, we evaluate and compare the network connectivity of each Chinese LCC to see the change patterns, then elaborate on the network connection of Spring Airlines. The major results are: the LCC sector has not recovered, but some of them exceed the pre-pandemic levels in a less deregulated environment; different LCCs show different recovery patterns; Spring Airlines outperforms the other four LCCs in terms of network connectivity. The recovery process is supported by various external factors, such as the reduction of new confirmed COVID-19 local cases and international flights, the re-open of inter-provincial tour groups and tourism demand, the nationwide rebound activities promoted by the central government, and the supporting policies, especially new slot allocation processes issued by CAAC. The case study further indicates the effects of high-speed rail (HSR) and regional subsidy measures on the tactical actions of Springs in route planning. This paper serves as a referential case for the LCCs worldwide and has good application for the recovery of other LCCs in other countries. Moreover, the study conducted in this time window offers a chance to assess the development of Chinese airlines in a not fully deregulated aviation environment. It contributes to the debate on the theory of air network resilience.

The operation of labour charter flights during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.

China was the first market badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper explores how Chinese airlines started and involved in labour charter operations, and tanalyse the evolutionary patterns of the charter route network. Flying charter flights for migrant workers is a unique phenomenon in China, especially during the Wuhan lockdown period. The main results are three: (1) private airlines were more active in charter operations during the earlier period, (2) labour charter operation is a newly appeared aviation-government-industry cooperative business model, and (3) there was a spread, change and shift of both charter flows and charter passengers during the four-week period of the study. This case study not only produces useful insights about the important role of charter flights in China during the Covid-19 pandemic period, but also contributes to the theory and practice related to aviation resilience. Also, it contributes to the discussion about aviation policies in China, taking labour charter operation as a window time to predicate future airline dynamics in a more deregulated environment. The results can help airlines, and airports adjust routes, distribute capacity, and adjust layouts for Spring Festival labour transport in normal or post-pandemic times.