(Yicai) Sept. 2 -- The losses racked up by China’s three largest airlines continued to narrow in the first half of the year, thanks to the recovery of the tourism industry.

Air China’s net loss shrank 19 percent to CNY2.8 billion (USD394.1 million) in the six months ended June 30 from a year earlier, according to the national flag carrier. Revenue soared 33 percent to CNY79.5 billion (USD11.2 billion).

China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines reported net losses of CNY2.7 billion and CNY1.2 billion in the first half, both narrowing 57 percent from the same period last year. Their revenues rose 30 percent and 18 percent to CNY64.2 billion and CNY84.8 billion, respectively.

China Eastern said it failed to turn profitable in the first half because of the intense domestic competition, worse-than-expected recovery of some overseas markets, rivalry from high-speed rails, and low ticket prices and daily aircraft utilization rate.

Air China and China Southern also mentioned the impact of fluctuations in oil prices and foreign exchanges, and extreme weather.

Three of China’s four leading private carriers reported profits in the first half.

Spring Airlines’ net profit widened 60 percent to CNY1.4 billion, while that of Juneyao Airlines skyrocketed over six-fold to CNY490 million (USD68.9 million). China Express Airlines turned a CNY752.2 million net loss into a CNY26.2 million (USD3.7 million) net profit.

Hainan Airlines Holding posted a net loss of CNY640 million, narrowing by more than 60 percent in the period.

Editor: Futura Costaglione