China is set to achieve a milestone in air travel, with air passenger trips expected to soar to a record 700 million in 2024. This optimistic forecast comes from Song Zhiyong, head of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), during his address at the Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety 2024 (AP-SAS 2024) held in Beijing.
Song highlighted the impressive growth of China's civil aviation sector in the first half of the year. Transport turnover increased by 11.9 percent, passenger trips by 9 percent, and cargo and mail transport volume by a staggering 18.7 percent compared to the same period in 2019. These numbers underscore China's resilience and rapid recovery in the aviation industry.
For 19 consecutive years, China has held the position of the world's second-largest civil aviation market. Its contribution to global aviation growth has surpassed 20 percent, a testament to the country's expanding infrastructure and increasing connectivity. Currently, China boasts 4,335 transport aircraft and 262 airports, with a total transport capacity reaching 1.6 billion passengers.
Beyond traditional aviation, Song also shed light on the burgeoning sector of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The annual flight time of UAVs has reached tens of millions of hours, and the registration of new drones is skyrocketing at a rate of 100,000 per month, reflecting the technological advancements and growing interest in drone technology.
The AP-SAS 2024, co-organized by the CAAC, the Flight Safety Foundation, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, serves as a pivotal platform for aviation leaders and professionals. This year's summit, themed \"Shaping Safety Excellence: A Human-Focused Approach,\" focuses on addressing safety-related challenges and implementing measures to enhance aviation safety across the globe.
Since its inception in 2023, the AP-SAS has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among aviation experts, ensuring that safety remains a top priority as the industry continues to evolve and expand.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
