The rapid development of aviation transport market will generate huge demand for airplanes for civil use. China's civil aviation needs to add 2,194 passenger airplanes in the next 20 years, estimate says, of which 705 will be regional airplanes making up a third. The news came from China International Aviation & Aerospace Forum held Sunday in Zhuhai.

According to latest statistics released by China Aviation Industry Corporation I under the Commission of Science and Technology and Industry for National Defense, the number of passenger and cargo transport airplanes in China will reach 2,769 by the year 2023, of which 396 will be cargo airplanes and 2,373 will be passenger airplanes. Considering demand expansion as a result of growth in transport volume and retirement of airplanes in service China's civil aviation needs to add 2,194 passenger airplanes in the next 20 years.

Regional aviation as an indispensable part of civil aviation transport system is also brewing new development. Since 2000 regional aviation transport has revealed a trend of rapid development. Considering the demand of small and medium cities for aviation transport, continuously increased flight frequency and the coming into operation of advanced regional jet aircrafts, regional aviation is expected to make up a third in the next 20 years and average daily utilization rate is expected to reach the level of airways in developed countries. The rate for regional jet aircrafts will be 9.5 hours per day. Regional airplanes will establish aviation services between provincial capitals and small and medium cities and between tourism cities in the wide western regions and provincial cities.

As learned this estimate does not include airways in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

By People's Daily Online