China's Civil Aviation Industry Geared into New EraCentering on the business enterprising, China's civil aviation industry is striding forward into a new era of development. With its transportation volume gradually increased and flight network extended, the carrying capacity has been raised and construction of infrastructures improved since the policy of reform and opening-up adopted 20 years ago, according to sources close to the International Forum on Reform in China's Fundamental Fields.Air transportation has played an increasingly important role in the nation's transportation industry. The passenger turnover rose up to 8.2 percent in the nation's total transportation volume by the end of 1999 from 2.29 percent in the Sixth-Five Year Plan period, 3.41 percent in the Seventh and 6.27 percent in Eighth. In the meanwhile, the overall air transportation turnover has bounded up to the 10th place in the world from the 35th in 1980 with the passenger turnover ranked the seventh from the 33rd. We've also witnessed a sound expansion of the airline network with the international routes increased up to 131 and regional ones to eight by the year end of 1998, linking up 64 cities in 34 countries and regions of the world. Besides, 57 airlines from 43 countries and regions have found their direct accesses to 13 cities across China. The airports and their infrastructure have been improved with every passing day, and up to now, we've seen 143 airports in operation the country over. The administration of civil aviation has shrugged off the old mechanism and a new managerial pattern has come into shape with the establishment of six regional administrative bureaus, six backbone airlines and 17 regional ones. |
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