China to purchase 218 aircraft in 2010; passenger levels to increase to 1.5 billion pax by 2030

CAAC Director General, Li Jiaxiang, reportedly stated that Chinese airlines plan to purchase 218 aircraft (regional and widebody airccraft) in 2010 to meet increased demand for air travel (Xinhua/People's Daily, 08-Mar-2010). CAAC is forecasting a 12% increase in passenger and freight traffic from 2009 levels (of 230 million passengers and 4.46 million tons of cargo), with passenger numbers expected to grow to 700 million passenger trips p/a by 2020, with this likely to double (to 1.5 billion) by 2030. Total air traffic has grown by 18% in Jan/Feb-2010, with freight growth increasing 95%, meaning volumes have recovered to pre-crisis levels.