BEIJING - China's civil aviation sector posted strong passenger growth despite a decline in cargo transportation in January this year, official data showed Monday.

Air passenger trips in January increased 17.6 percent year on year to 43.9 million, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The pace was faster than the 11.8-percent growth registered for the whole year of 2016.

Passenger trips made on domestic routes rose 17.4 percent year on year to 38.96 million in January, while those made on international routes surged 19.1 percent to 4.97 million.

In January, air cargo and mail freight topped 565,000 tons in January, decreasing 3.8 percent year on year, affected by waning domestic cargo and mail business.

Domestic air cargo and mail freight declined 5.6 percent in January year on year to 409,000 tons, while international cargo and mail freight increased 0.9 percent in January to 156,000 tons.