Recent news suggests a change in China's COVID-zero policy, which must be great news for its beleaguered international carriers, such as China Southern Airlines. With nearly a quarter of its fleet grounded, any opportunity to move beyond domestic borders is the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.

This morning China Southern Airlines (China Southern) and Sabre Corporation (Sabre) announced they had renewed their global distribution agreement. Sabre is a software and technology company that provides the global travel industry, including airlines, with retailing, distribution and fulfillment solutions to drive and optimize revenues.

Starting to spread its wings

China Southern Airlines Boeing 777-31B(ER) B-7185
Photo: Vincenzo Pace I Simple Flying

The long-term renewal will allow China Southern to continue distributing its offers and content to the vast network of travel agents and related businesses connected to Sabre's global distribution system (GDS). The partners have a long-standing relationship that includes China Southern utilizing Sabre's fares and contract management solutions.

For a major international airline like China Southern, it is vital that its fares and content are distributed widely and effectively, which is why almost all airlines rely on these global distribution systems. Sabre VP and regional general manager of Asia-Pacific travel solutions and airline sales, Rakesh Narayanan, said that:

"We're seeing pronounced recovery in APAC, particularly in international markets, and we look forward to continuing to support China Southern to promote its fares and offers through Sabre's travel marketplace as the airline adds to its own international route network."

Last month China Southern, China's largest carrier by passenger volume, announced it was expanding its international routes. The airline said it would operate 47 international routes covering 203 cities in the just-started (northern) winter/spring season. These are a mix of new and resumed routes, including services from its base at Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN) to New York (JFK), Rome (FCO) and Jakarta (CGK).

So many airplanes looking for work

China Southern MAXs lined up
Photo: Getty Images

According to ch-aviation.com, China Southern operates 431 of its 563 aircraft, not counting the 80 Boeing 737s it has on wet leases. It should be remembered that the 737 MAX is still not flying in the country, and China Southern has 24 737 MAX 8s on the inactive list, with another 44 to be delivered. Surprisingly, China Southern has 21 of its own 737-800s and 10 737-700s idle, while wet leasing 74 737-800s and six 737-700s.

Excluding the wet-leased aircraft, the largest single type is the Airbus A320 (107), followed by the A321 (99) and the 737-800 (87). At the other end of the scale, the airline has four Airbus A319neos, nine A319-100s and 14 A330-200s in its passenger fleet. On the widebody side, China Southern has an effective mix of capacity, including the Airbus A330-300 and A350-900, plus the Boeing 777-300ER and the 787-8 and 787-9.

In terms of future aircraft, the ch-aviation.com data lists 185 aircraft on order, dominated by new technology aircraft like the A320neo (23), A321neo (66), 737 MAX 8 (44), plus 24 ARJ21-700s and five C919s from local OEM COMAC.

Find more news about Asian aviation here

With things at last starting to move in China, borders may be prised open in time for the Lunar New Year celebrations. It's a stretch, but if that happens, we will see a rush of aircraft, including from China Southern, spread out around Asia and beyond.

Is there any chance China will open up by the Lunar New Year? Let us know what you think in the comments.

  • China Southern A380 Sunset (1)
    China Southern
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    CZ/CSN
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Beijing Daxing Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
    Year Founded:
    1988