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Airports in China - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

IBISWorld IBISWorld Beijing, China Last Updated: May 2024 5531

Revenue

$20.5bn

2024

$20.5bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

107k

Businesses

115

Wages

$X.Xbn

Airports in China industry analysis

Over the five years through 2024, revenue for the Airports industry in China is expected to fall at an annualized 0.5%, primarily due to the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, cultural exchange campaigns between China and other countries contributed to revenue growth. However, revenue growth slowed in 2020 due to the global economic slowdown attributable to the COVID-19 outbreak, and fiercer competition from high-speed railways. In 2024, industry revenue is anticipated to rise by 1.6%, to $20.5 billion.
The Airports industry in China is sensitive to general economic conditions and passenger volumes. Some short-distance airline services may be seen as non-essential, as cheaper substitutes are often available. Airport operations are highly dependent on demand for domestic and international air travel, which have been somewhat volatile over the past five years.
The industry's nonaeronautical businesses, such as advertising and property development, are becoming increasingly important to operators. This is particularly the case for large airports with high passenger numbers, which provides further expansion opportunities for nonaeronautical businesses. Additionally, charges on aeronautical businesses are closely regulated by government agencies while the nonaeronautical segment is more market-oriented.
Over the five years through 2029, industry revenue is forecast to grow at an annualized 9.4%, to total $32.1 billion. There is significant growth potential for the industry, as flights per capita in China are much lower than in other developed economies.

Trends and Insights

  • Industry revenue has been slowly recovering since the COVID-19 outbreak. Industry revenue fell by 27.1% to $14.0 billion in 2020 as air travel was severely restricted.
  • Aircraft movement and passenger services generate the most revenue. The major sources of revenue from airport operations include aviation fees, concessions (rental), airport fees and parking fees.
  • The number of airports in China is expected to keep growing. By the end of 2023, ACMR-IBISWorld anticipates that there will be 253 airports with scheduled passenger flights across China (excluding Hong Kong and Macao).
  • Industry competition is relatively low. Airports’ activities are limited to the jurisdiction or regions in which they operate.

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  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.6 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $20.5bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The industry is recovering from a significant fall in revenue in 2020

  • In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide, industry revenue fell by 27.1%, to $14.0 billion in response to reduced air travel.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Airports in China
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Demand for air travel depends on China's economic performance

  • China's overall economic conditions largely determine demand for air transport. The Chinese economy is projected to maintain a solid performance over the next five years, which will increase demand for air transport.

Biggest companies in the Airports in China

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Shanghai Airport Authority
2,113.5
Guangdong Airport Authority
1,300.9
Capital Airport Holding Company
1,057.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Airports in China
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Aircraft movement fees, Passenger service charges and Airport fees. Aircraft movement fees is the largest segment of the Airports in China.

Trends and Insights

Aircraft movement fees and passenger service charges are among the largest revenue contributors

  • Airports offer a range of services, but their primary function is to provide areas for planes to land and depart, and to facilitate the interchange of passengers and freight between air and surface transport.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Airports in China provide aeronautical (aircraft landings and take-offs, ground support services and firefighting) and nonaeronautical (advertising space leasing, leasing properties within terminals, parking lot operations and ground handling facilities) services to airlines and passengers. Independent businesses, specialized freight airports and airports for other uses are excluded from this industry.

What's included in this industry?

Aircraft movement feesPassenger service chargesAirport feesConcessionsCar parking feesOther services

Companies

Shanghai Airport AuthorityGuangdong Airport AuthorityCapital Airport Holding Company

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

APRONCARGOTERMINAL

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Industry revenue has been slowly recovering since the COVID-19 outbreak. Industry revenue fell by 27.1% to $14.0 billion in 2020 as air travel was severely restricted.

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Aircraft movement and passenger services generate the most revenue. The major sources of revenue from airport operations include aviation fees, concessions (rental), airport ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The number of airports in China is expected to keep growing. By the end of 2023, ACMR-IBISWorld anticipates that there will be 253 airports with scheduled passenger flights a...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Industry competition is relatively low. Airports’ activities are limited to the jurisdiction or regions in which they operate.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

One-tier cities contribute most of the industry’s revenue. Airports in China’s one-tier cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong and Shenzhen, generated the most revenue nat...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Shanghai Airport Authority's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Guangdong Airport Authority's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Capital Airport Holding Company's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Shanghai Airport Authority, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Guangdong Airport Authority, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Capital Airport Holding Company, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The industry’s participants are state-owned. The government has published policies to regulate airport operation, pricing and management.

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Companies in the Airports industry have varying cost structures. An airport’s cost structure depends on factors like its size, services and prices, and capacity utilization.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Airports industry in China in 2024?

The market size of the Airports industry in China is $20.5bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Airports in China industry in 2024?

There are 115 businesses in the Airports industry in China, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Airports industry in China grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Airports industry in China has been growing at a CAGR of 1.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Airports industry in China over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Airports industry in China is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Airports market in China?

The biggest companies operating in the Airports market in China are Shanghai Airport Authority, Guangdong Airport Authority and Capital Airport Holding Company

What does the Airports in China include?

Aircraft movement fees and Passenger service charges are part of the Airports industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Airports in China?

The company holding the most market share in China is Shanghai Airport Authority.

How competitive is the Airports industry in China?

The level of competition is low and steady in the Airports industry in China.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Passenger Rail Transport in China
  • Subway, Light Rail & Cable Car Transport in China

Complementors

  • Aircraft Manufacturing in China

International industries

  • Global Airport Operation
  • Airport Operations in the US
  • Airport Operations in Australia
  • Airport Operations in New Zealand
  • Airports in the UK

View all industries in China

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in China include:

  • National Bureau of Statistics China
  • General Administration of Customs
  • People’s Bank of China

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.