China Airlines Head for Annual Losses After Summer Profit Plunge

China’s three largest airlines are on track to report full-year losses after all three posted losses for the first nine months of 2026, despite higher revenue at Air China and China Eastern. Third-quarter profits plunged at Air China and China Eastern, while China Southern swung to a loss, even though the summer travel season is typically the industry’s strongest period. The carriers cited sharply higher jet fuel costs, weak domestic fares amid competition from high-speed rail, and typhoon disruptions; limited fuel hedging has left Chinese airlines especially exposed to rising oil prices.