(Yicai) Oct. 24 -- China’s airlines are starting to come up with services aimed at the middle-aged and elderly and are working with travel companies to jointly develop products for these age groups as their spending power is rising along with the size of the country’s aged population, Yicai learned.

“The larger elderly population ratio and their steadily rising per capita disposable income are the main factors that lead airline companies to launch more products designed to meet their specific needs, including being more convenient and easier to use,” Zhang Jianen, head of the passenger sales management office at Chengdu aviation marketing center, told Yicai.

The number of people aged 55 and over who travel has nearly tripled from last year, with those aged 55 to 60 and 61 to 65 making up 60 percent and more than 20 percent, respectively, according to statistics from Trip.Com Group.

Airlines can work with travel agencies to develop more exclusive products suitable for older consumers, such as nostalgic travel itineraries to help clients recall the days of their youth. For example, they can design product with specific travel routes and destinations for elderly groups with shared memories, Zhang noted.

Also, as cheap travel products are no longer the first choice of elderly people, as they are becoming financially stronger, new travel products should provide experienced tour guides to serve to take care of their special needs well, Zhang added.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Futura Costaglione