Ningbo Airport

Chinese carrier pax traffic to exceed 300 million in FY2012 as double-digit pax growth returns

China’s aviation market is poised for a memorable year in 2012, as Beijing likely eclipses Atlanta as the world’s busiest airport (expected in 2H2012) and double-digit traffic growth rates return. Chinese carriers are expected to report a 10% increase in passenger traffic this year to 320 million passengers, according to industry regulator, the CAAC, following growth of 9.2% in 2011.

Some 21 airports in China handled more than 10 million passengers in 2011, five more than 2010 – and more are expected to join the ‘10 million+ club’ in 2012. Eight Chinese airports handled more than 20 million passengers last year. 10 years ago, Beijing was the only Mainland Chinese airport handling over 20 million passengers (with 24.2 million passengers in 2001), while Guangzhou Baiyun and Shanghai Hongqiao (both with 13.8 million passengers) were the only two other airports in China with over 15 million annual passengers.

China continues low altitude airspace trial for general aviation

The CAAC Air Traffic Management Bureau announced they plan to continue to expand a trial that will roll back more restrictions on low-altitude airspace use for general aviation flights. The extending low-altitude airspace trial will open airspace between 1000 m and 400 m around northeast, central and south China. Six pilot cities – Tangshan, Xi'an, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Ningbo and Kunming – will be involved.

The area of low-altitude airspace to be opened in this latest is a series of ongoing developments accounts for almost 32% percent of China's total surface area. The airspace will be opened up during 2012.

Under the trial programme, low airspace is to be divided into three categories: areas under direct control of air traffic controllers, areas under surveillance by authorities and areas where aircraft can fly freely, provided a flight plan has been filed in advance.

Can scheduled cross-Strait services deliver rich rewards?

Taiwan and Mainland China launched regular (scheduled) cross-Strait services on 31-Aug-2009, ending a six-decade absence. It is a major step forward for relations across the Taiwan Strait and comes at a crucial time for airlines on both sides that are feeling the effects of dramatically weakened demand on international routes.