Non proprio inerente al segmento EU-CHINA e vv ma giusto come info UA ha deciso di NON riaprire tutto a manetta, proprio in considerazione di alcuni dei punti riportati qui sopra:
Why United Airlines Isn’t Rushing To Add China Capacity
BY
LINNEA AHLGREN
PUBLISHED DEC 27, 2022
While searches for international travel surged after Monday's announcement, several factors imply actual demand might take a while to recover.
Even as COVID cases are reportedly at an all-time high in China, the country announced on Monday it would be abolishing quarantine requirements and once again issue visas for work, business, students, and family reunification. Starting January 8, 2023, international arrivals will no longer be required to
quarantine upon arrival.
Along with the softening of its draconian domestic restrictions earlier in December, this marks the most significant turn away from China's zero-COVID policy and toward an opening of borders and a return to
international travel. However, while travel searches have boomed, there has been no immediate surge in bookings, and United Airlines, for one, says it will assess demand before adding flights.
Global tourism economy awaiting China's return
Before the pandemic, China was the largest earner for the global
tourism industry. According to the UN’s World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Chinese tourists spent $254.6 billion overseas in 2019, accounting for as much as one-fifth of worldwide tourism spending. Needless to say, airlines and travel destinations alike are quite keen on having China's international travel return to a state of normalcy.
While there are no restrictions for Chinese citizens (overall) traveling abroad, abolishing quarantine requirements will make it far easier for those who venture out to come back home. Following the announcement, searches for trips abroad increased tenfold, surging to a three-year-high, according to CNBC.
However, Reuters reports that travel agents foresee actual recovery taking some time yet, due to factors such as financial instability following three years of repeated lockdowns and restrictions. Furthermore, the current wave of infections in China may cause other countries to impose testing requirements. It is also difficult to see people wanting to travel abroad from China before the Lunar New Year holiday and celebrations coming up toward the end of next month.
Evaluating market demand
While airlines will wish to increase operations to the Chinese mainland eventually, some are adopting a measured approach. As reported by Reuters,
United Airlines is among the carriers
"currently evaluating market demand and operating environment to determine when to resume additional flight operations."
United is currently operating four weekly services between San Francisco (
SFO) and Shangai Pudong (PVG). Overall, international traffic to and from China is at a mere 8% of pre-pandemic levels.
Lufthansa also said it was examining whether or not it would change its flight schedule, whereas a TUI spokesperson said it was expecting a positive impact on what is currently a very limited schedule. Meanwhile, Korean Air is also optimistic about travel demand and is upping its departures to mainland China from nine per week to 15 in January.
Notably, some restrictions still linger such as PCR tests before arrival and a lack of tourist visas being issues. Until cases fall and the new rules come into effect, airlines will wait until they can increase schedules to what was Asia's busiest market in 2019.