With the sustainable growth of the national economy in the country, China's civil aviation sector will continue to keep a rapid growth momentum during the 11th Five Year Plan (2006-2010) period, according to a Xinhua report on November 13.

The General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) will import at least 100-150 airplanes for civil aviation annually within the next 5 years, according to a prediction by the relevant department with the CAAC. It says the total number of transportation planes operating in China will be close to 1600 by 2010, an increase of about 700 if compared with that of 2005, and the total number of civilian airports will have reached 187, a growth of more than 40 than that of 2005, reports the overseas edition of People's Daily on November 14.

In addition, the number of the foreign flights' entry into and exit out of the country is also on the continuous increase. It is estimated that by 2010, the number of civilian flights will exceed 4.6 million a year. The Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai's Pudong and Hongqiao airports, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and Shenzhen Bao'an Airport are predicted to exceed 1,500 flights at the busiest day, being amongst the busiest airports in the world.

By People's Daily Online