China’s JoyAir Fails to Resume Flights After May Day Halt

JoyAir has missed its anticipated post-May Day relaunch, extending a suspension of all flight operations that began just before China’s five-day holiday period. Despite initial hopes for a quick restart, the Xi’an-based airline remains grounded with no official announcement or updated schedules available on its website.

The regional carrier operates scheduled flights to seven domestic destinations including Beihai, Changsha, Dalian, Harbin, Weihai, Xi’an, and Yantai. Its fleet comprises three Boeing 737-800s and 22 MA-60 turboprops. JoyAir is majority-owned by the Xi’an State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, which holds a 65% stake.

The airline has struggled financially for years, grappling with sustained losses, payroll arrears dating back to 2022, and more than 50 legal actions from former and current employees over unpaid wages and benefits. Chinese courts have also frozen company assets and imposed consumption restrictions on its legal representative.

According to the South China Morning Post, analysts attribute JoyAir’s struggles to the rapid expansion of China’s high-speed rail network, which has reduced demand for regional air travel. Additionally, the MA-60 aircraft, central to JoyAir’s operations, has been described as too small for profitable deployment on most routes and too costly to maintain.

As of early May 2025, JoyAir’s online booking system shows no flight availability for the remainder of the year, raising further concerns about the airline’s operational future. With no public statement from management, uncertainty continues to surround the fate of one of China’s last MA-60 operators.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com