Shenyang 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.

European airlines ramp-up capacity to China

Asia Pacific, particularly China, is one of the current destination hotspots for European carriers, with connections between Europe and China improving in recent months and over the past couple of years. The initial focus was obviously on providing connectivity between key European hubs and the capital city of Beijing, with services to Shanghai also quite extensive, although a number of carriers are adding service to secondary, albeit still large destinations in China, such as Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Chongqin, Urumqi, Sancha, Dalian and Harbin.

Shenzhen Airlines plans ambitious narrowbody fleet expansion, new international routes

Shenzhen Airlines is planning to grow its fleet to over 170 aircraft by the end of 2015 as it taps into rapid growth in its home market as well six other regional bases across China. Over the same time period Shenzhen Airlines plans to expand its fledgling international network to over 20 routes.

China progress on low altitude airspace rethink

China has taken another step in opening up its low-altitude airspace to general aviation traffic, launching a trial permitting helicopters to operate in low-altitude airspace over Haikou, the capital city of China's southern island province of Hainan. The aim of the testing is to validate plans to gradually open up China’s airspace to private aircraft. Under a plan announced in 2010, trials for opening up low-altitude airspace will be rolled out in other areas over the next five years.