In recent years, the Pu'er tourism aviation market has developed rapidly. In step with opening inter-province lines such as Pu'er-Chengdu and Pu'er-Chongqing line, the provincial routes such as Pu'er-Lijiang, Pu'er-Dali have also been opened.

According to statistics, from January to December 2018, the Pu’er Simao Airport operated a total of 6,408 flights, an increase of 16% over the previous year. Passenger throughput was 642,350, an increase of 10% over the previous year. The cargo and mail throughput was 1171.91 tons, an increase of 9% over the previous year. The average load factor was 76%. Lancang Jingmai Airport operated a total of 2,514 flights, with a passenger throughput of 234,784, a cargo and mail throughput of 30.815 tons, and an average passenger load factor of 75%.