China's commercial airline makes first-ever landing in Antarctica, marking the dawn of self-organized polar expeditions for Chinese travelers

A Hainan Airlines passenger plane carrying 22 Chinese tourists landed safely on the 2,500-meter runway at Wolf's Fang Airport in Antarctica on the evening of the 16th. The flight departed from Hong Kong, made a refueling stop in Cape Town, South Africa, after a 15-hour journey, and then flew for another 5.5 hours before touching down on the snowy runway in Antarctica. This historic event marks the first time a Chinese commercial aircraft has safely transported passengers to Antarctica, ushering in a new era of self-organized polar travel for mainland Chinese.

According to China's Global Times, after a brief adjustment, the group will board a Twin Otter aircraft to traverse the world’s coldest, most desolate, and driest white continent. The roughly 5–6 hour flight will take them to the South Pole, setting a new record as the first Chinese self-organized business and scientific expedition team to reach the South Pole.

The report cited a Hainan Airlines executive within the group as saying that although the number of Chinese visitors to Antarctica now ranks second globally, it is regrettable that China does not yet control Antarctic tourism resources, nor does it have a say in the rules and regulations governing Antarctic tourism. To date, among the hundreds of expedition cruise ships operating in Antarctica with international qualifications from the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), not a single one is Chinese-owned. There are also no Chinese aircraft operating Antarctic air routes. For Chinese tourists wishing to visit Antarctica, they can only organize domestic groups and then outsource operations to foreign companies.

He noted that Hainan Airlines’ group tour initiative involved 10 years of research, site inspections, and trial landings for safe takeoffs and landings. This time, several Hainan Airlines executives personally took part in the maiden voyage, demonstrating the determination of Chinese private enterprises and social organizations to independently pioneer new international tourism ventures.

Wang Wen, Executive Dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China and fellow traveler, said he felt deeply honored to witness the inaugural commercial flight to Antarctica. He stated that China’s advancement in Antarctic air travel will significantly enhance its influence and role in the region—currently not commensurate with its global standing. As a responsible major country, China’s participation in Antarctic governance will not only broaden global representation but also promote better scientific collaboration, environmental protection, and compliance with relevant international treaties in Antarctica.

The report stated that in recent years, Chinese people's enthusiasm for travel has increasingly extended to the North and South Poles, with polar tourism becoming the new favorite among the country’s high-income demographic. According to statistics from the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), in 2016, 3,944 Chinese tourists set foot on the Antarctic continent. This year, that number has surpassed 5,000—an increase of 30.5% year-on-year, nearly 40 times higher than a decade ago. China has now overtaken Australia to become the second-largest source of Antarctic tourists, following only the United States.