Chinese aviation to take bigger bite of global market

Chengdu (CNS) -- The prosperous Asian market is bringing golden opportunities to the Chinese aviation industry to expand its international business and increase routes within the region, according to Deputy Director Xia Xinghua at the Civil Aviation Administration Routes Asia 2012 forum held in Sichuan on Sunday.

So far, the Chinese aviation industry has reached agreements with counterparts in 114 countries and regions on 443 international air routes connecting Chinese cities to 125 non-mainland destinations, Xia said.

In terms of cooperation within Asia, China and ASEAN countries have established mutual rights to carry passengers and cargo from and to each other's territories; close partnerships between China and Japan, Korea and other northeastern Asian countries have been operating smoothly; while lines to central and southern Asian countries need further exploration, Xia added.

Asia, with 30 percent of the world's total continental area and almost 60 percent of its population, is destined to become a wonderland for the aviation industry, commented Xia.

The huge potential of Western China is developing, and Sichuan, as the region's most important hub, is inviting global airlines to exploit its strength as a destination and stopover.