Airlines ready to spread their wings again

Lin agreed that the reasons for a slower recovery vary in different places.

"For instance, the number of services operating between China and the US, as well as Canada, remains low because of the impact of the recent relationship between the sides," he said.

"Also, during the pandemic, overseas airports and airlines greatly reduced their staff numbers, such as those employed in handling luggage and preparing meals. It takes time to rehire staff, which also adds to the problem of putting on more flights.

"The new policy to boost outbound group tours was announced recently, but demand for outbound travel has not fully returned."

Lin said other issues, such as long waiting times to obtain visas to popular destinations, also deter Chinese from traveling abroad.

One Shanghai resident, surnamed Wang, was planning to take her son to the US this summer, but visa problems meant the trip had to be called off.

"So many people are applying for visas. When I checked last month, the first appointment I could arrange was in December," she said.

Instead, she and her son went to Japan earlier this month.

"The round-trip airfare from Shanghai to Tokyo was reasonable — about 3,400 yuan ($465) per person," she said, adding that the price was about the same as before the pandemic emerged.