China forges ahead with airspace opening-up (2)

New regulations on airspace planning and operation as well as applications for general aviation flights are expected to be issued before the end of the year.

"We're overhauling a series of regulations on airspace management to simplify the application procedures," Ma said.

"As the reforms forge ahead, we believe the general aviation industry will gain momentum and become a new growth point just like the car industry," he said.

Pilot projects have been launched in China's northeastern and central-southern regions, as well as seven cities, including Tangshan near Beijing, Xi'an, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Kunming and Chongqing, where airspace below 1,000 meters is open to general aviation flights.

China had about 1,198 aircraft used for general aviation purposes as of the end of last year.