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About China Southern Airlines

A Quick Overview of China Southern Airlines

China Southern Airlines Co., Ltd. (branded as China Southern, IATA: CZ) is China’s largest airline by fleet size and passenger traffic, headquartered at Baiyun District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Founded on July 1, 1988, following the restructuring of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, it has grown into a global aviation leader, carrying over 150 million passengers annually (pre-COVID peak). Operating from primary hubs at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), and secondary hubs in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Chongqing, China Southern serves 208 destinations across 35 countries. A former SkyTeam member (2007–2018), it now pursues independent partnerships, including codeshares with American Airlines, British Airways, and Qantas. With a fleet of over 700 aircraft, the airline emphasizes safety, modern cabin products, and sustainability, highlighted by its operation of the COMAC C919 and a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050. Its slogan, “Fly into your dreams,” reflects its focus on delivering a premium experience with Chinese hospitality, though it faces challenges like customer service delays and inconsistent service quality.

History

China Southern Airlines emerged from China’s aviation reforms in 1988, consolidating regional operations under the Guangzhou-based Civil Aviation Administration. It became a publicly listed company in 1997, trading on the Hong Kong, New York, and Shanghai stock exchanges. The airline joined SkyTeam in 2007, becoming the first mainland Chinese carrier in a global alliance, but exited in 2018 to focus on bilateral partnerships and fleet expansion.

Key milestones include:

  • 1996: Ordered six Boeing 777s, marking its long-haul ambitions.
  • 2003: Merged with China Northern Airlines and Xinjiang Airlines, expanding its northern China presence.
  • 2011: Became the first Chinese airline to operate the Airbus A380, though all were retired by 2022.
  • 2019: Launched Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) as a second primary hub, transferring 60% of Beijing operations from Beijing Capital (PEK).
  • 2020: Faced COVID-19 challenges, operating repatriation and cargo flights while suspending most international routes.
  • 2022: Took delivery of its first COMAC C919, becoming the second Chinese airline to operate the domestically produced jet.
  • 2023: Reported a net profit of 4.1 billion yuan ($580 million USD), recovering from pandemic losses, and expanded routes to Amsterdam and London Gatwick.
  • 2024: Signed a $6 billion order for 100 COMAC C919s (deliveries 2024–2031) and introduced pet-friendly cabin services.
  • 2025: Launched Guangzhou–Doha route and increased frequencies to Sydney, Melbourne, and London, leveraging new A350s and C919s.

Operations

China Southern operates a vast network from its hubs in Guangzhou (CAN) and Beijing Daxing (PKX), with secondary hubs in Shanghai (PVG/SHA), Shenzhen (SZX), and Chongqing (CKG). It serves 208 destinations, including 175 domestic and 33 international cities.

Destinations:
  • Domestic: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, Hangzhou, and 160+ others.
  • Asia: Tokyo (NRT/HND), Seoul (ICN), Hong Kong (HKG), Singapore (SIN), Bangkok (BKK), Manila (MNL), Jakarta (CGK).
  • North America: Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), New York (JFK), Vancouver (YVR).
  • Europe: London (LHR/LGW), Paris (CDG), Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS), Rome (FCO).
  • Oceania: Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Auckland (AKL).
  • Middle East & Africa: Doha (DOH), Dubai (DXB), Nairobi (NBO).
Services:
  • Scheduled Flights: Over 3,500 weekly flights, with high-frequency domestic routes like Guangzhou–Beijing (20+ daily) and international routes like CAN–SYD (twice daily).
  • Charter Services: Offers charters for corporate, leisure, and government needs.
  • Cargo: China Southern Cargo operates freighters to 20+ destinations, handling 1.6 million tonnes annually (2023).
  • Codeshare Agreements: Partners with American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Japan Airlines, Emirates, and others, covering 300+ destinations.