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.

kwa/dma/dan

China Southern Airlines

AIR CHINA

Related Links
Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

US indicts 10 Chinese over scheme to steal aerospace tech
Washington (AFP) Oct 30, 2018
The United States indicted 10 Chinese, including two intelligence officers, over a five-year scheme to steal technology from US and French aerospace firms by hacking into their computers. The indictments came 20 days after the Department of Justice obtained the unprecedented extradition of a senior Chinese intelligence official from Belgium to stand trial in the United States for running the alleged state-sponsored effort to steal US aviation industry secrets. The Justice Department said the Chi ... read more