Airlines are establishing a global presence by outsourcing to China

James Glenn Gomez Published on August 24, 2017

airplane parked in airline at sunset

With China’s economic boom and support to the business process outsourcing industry, outsourcing to China becomes more appealing to airlines cutting corners more than ever.

To face the coming financial challenges, international carriers are now considering outsourcing their business processes more than ever. With its recent economic upswing and its emergent business processes outsourcing (BPO) sector, China has become an unlikely destination as the cornerstone of global customer service.


Despite the strong financial headway the airline industry experienced in 2016, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicted that this is the industry’s current peak. For 2017, IATA advised airlines to brace themselves for expected hikes in oil prices and overall industrial growth slowdown should economic development remains at snail’s pace.

airplane flying above airport in Shanghai China

But even before this prediction, some airline companies have considered outsourcing some of their business processes to cut corners. From ground-handling to information technology-related functions, airlines outsource what they can, with the exception of core functions. This is especially apparent in budget airlines that maintain low-cost operations in order to provide low-cost airfare.

To prepare for the expected airline industry downturn, even major airlines are now considering the outsourcing of non-core business processes. To meet the predicted market demand, BPO providers are pushing the issue with offers to stabilize the growth of the airlines while using a reduced cost workforce to mitigate overhead. In light of the aforementioned circumstances, a China based location shows tremendous potential in helping airlines achieve revenue growth in spite of the predicted increase in other industry related business expenses.

The state of outsourcing in China

China, Asia’s economic tiger, has the second-largest economy and second-largest consumer market in the world. It recently also experienced a stronger-than-expected economic performance, with a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.9% (versus the estimated 6.5%) during the first quarter. This shows the continuing stability and sustainability of China’s economy.

Its outsourcing industry is also gaining momentum. BPO industry leaders India and the Philippines have had a reality check when Tholons presented its current Service Globalization Country Index. While China’s outsourcing hubs haven’t overtaken those of the two BPO giants, it has now surpassed the Philippines in terms of overall competitiveness by a significant margin. China, along with other emerging BPO countries, have also been constantly challenging India’s claim as a top outsourcing country.

Bringing your processes to China

While in the past, outsourcing to China was not as viable as outsourcing to the Philippines or India, its economic standing and present competitiveness of its BPO industry say otherwise. If your airline has a presence in China, you can outsource customer service solutions for ticketing, reservations, and other customer concerns. You don’t have to resort to travel agencies and such. And you still maintain control and access of your ticket sales.
Aside from that, here are some reasons why your airline should outsource to China.

•     Outsourcing industry in China is government-backed and in some cases mandated.

business partners shaking hands

The Chinese Government dubbed the outsourcing industry a national priority in 2009, and it has since been striving to become the world’s top outsourcing country. The government had planned to develop 10 competitive outsourcing cities across China; attract 100 multinational companies to outsource their services to China; and establish 1000 world-class outsourcing companies. This “1000-100-10” project by China’s Ministry of Commerce led to the creation of BPO hubs and technology parks across the country.

Know that airline companies who choose to cater to Chinese customers must have operations in mainland China as mandated by law, or else your airline gets sanctioned with fines, docking of your flight hours, or termination of your airline’s business permit.

•     Solid IT Network and Infrastructure

IT technology support manager inspecting internet server

China is also remarkable for its rapidly-growing networking capacity compared to other countries. Its government allocates a large budget to upgrade the country’s network and Internet infrastructure. In 2015, it completed its two-year $438-million network infrastructure upgrade, boosting network speeds and reducing connection costs. The government then planned to spend up to $182 billion to further increase Internet speeds and develop the country’s fiber optic network and high-speed wireless networks by end-2017.

•     Massive talent pool

group of asian business executives professionals pointing to sky

China is known for its massive number of professionals. It has a large, competitive talent pool compared to other nations. The Chinese government is also taking steps not just to increase the number, but to improve the quality of its professionals. Building a technical workforce is easier because finding qualified employees in China is easy. As an example: China churns out over 100,000 qualified software programmers every year. And as Chinese businesses continue to grow, so does the already huge talent pool.

China’s BPO industry is slowly gaining momentum. Its government’s dedication to improving its network infrastructure and prioritizing the outsourcing industry shows how capable the country is in handling your airline’s business processes. Take advantage of the upswing momentum and outsource your airline’s business processes to China.

Join us on facebook
Open Access BPO 14 hours ago
Expanding your #startup internationally can unlock a world of opportunities.
From market research to talent acquisition, #outsourcing can be a powerful tool to streamline your global expansion.

But how can you tell if your startup is truly ready to take on the world?
Before you take the leap, check out these essential signs of international expansion readiness: https://buff.ly/aEtrOFi

——————————
Ready to take the leap and expand your startup internationally?

Let Open Access BPO help you navigate the complexities of global expansion through our #BPO solutions: https://buff.ly/3yaDcXW

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#OutsourcingCX #CustomerSupport
Open Access BPO 3 days ago
Staying competitive often means finding smarter ways to operate and deliver great results.

For many global brands, that involves partnering with #outsourcing experts, and the Philippines is a go-to destination.

What's makes these outsourcing collaborations so impactful for a company's growth?

Learn why so many companies trust Philippine outsourcing companies to help them flourish and expand: https://buff.ly/UKynqaI

——————————
Just like many of the world's top brands, you can count on Open Access BPO to deliver excellent #CustomerExperience through our outsourcing services.

Ready to see how we can help your customer service shine? Get in touch: https://buff.ly/3yaDcXW

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerSupport #CSat
#OutsourcingCustomerService #CX
#CallCenterOutsourcing #CustomerExperience
Open Access BPO 3 days ago
The global market demands more than language fluency—it requires secure multilingual #outsourcing for seamless, protected customer interactions.

But with stricter regulations and evolving cyber threats, businesses must rethink how they approach multilingual #CallCenter outsourcing.

Check out our latest blog to learn why security must never be an afterthought in global expansion: https://buff.ly/llPMlW1

——————————
Multilingual capabilities and #DataSecurity are two of Open Access BPO's best assets.

Our seamless operational processes and professional teams of experts fuse together #MultilingualSupport for over 30 languages with #DataProtection practices.

Learn more about what we can do for brands: https://buff.ly/mjNQZ9U

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#MultilingualCallCenter#CustomerExperience
#MultilingualOutsourcing #CustomerService
#DataProtection
Open Access BPO 5 days ago
Leadership in #CallCenters is more than just setting targets and reviewing metrics.
It's about creating an environment where agents thrive, customers feel heard, and operations flow smoothly.

Curious about the techniques that make this possible?
Our blog digs into what makes an effective call center leader: https://buff.ly/xWGNZfa

——————————
Your business deserves world-class, industry-leading solutions, like the ones Open Access BPO provides: https://buff.ly/gHlxyNi

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
Open Access BPO 12 days ago
𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 #𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀.
But it's not just about the money. Pushing customers away can deliver a crushing blow to your business.

Ready to stop the bleed and start retaining customers like a pro?
Dive into the insights here: https://buff.ly/yd1gmoE

----------
Elevate your #CustomerRetention game now!
Contact us today to outsource to a #CustomerSupport expert: https://buff.ly/pmLrIys

Learn more:
[𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲] 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫: 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬: https://buff.ly/xeIJboo

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#CustomerSupport #CSat
#OutsourcingCustomerService #CX
#CallCenterOutsourcing #CustomerExperience
Open Access BPO 13 days ago
Open Access BPO Manila recently injected a dose of fun and team spirit into the workplace by hosting a #CincoDeMayo celebration.

The event centered around a DIY nacho and taco station, where employees customized their own snacks. This interactive experience provided a relaxed and engaging setting for colleagues to connect and share in a unique way within the office environment.

Beyond the delicious food, the day also featured a series of lighthearted and friendly games. These activities were specifically designed to encourage interaction, collaboration, and a sense of camaraderie among team members from various departments.

The Cinco de Mayo event served as a refreshing opportunity for the OABPO Manila team to unwind, celebrate, and reinforce their positive working relationships.

#WeSpeakYourLanguage
#diversity #inclusivity
#CincoDeMayo2025