Air Travel In China: Explain Its Expansion
China is the world’s most populous country with nearly 1.4 billion people in the greater China region alone. Its dramatic growth and modernization over the last few decades have been nothing short of astonishing. At a revelatory rate, China has emerged as one of the leading countries in terms of travel and air transport. CNN air travel in China has witnessed an exponential expansion in air travel and tourism over the years. The air industry in China has grown exponentially, and as of 2017, total Chinese passenger air travel had reached 951 million passengers.
The Chinese air travel market is a fiercely competitive industry and is growing rapidly with a number of Chinese airlines providing travelers with discounted fares and even free flights. CNN air travel in China boasts robust fuel efficiency and international safety standards, with airlines putting more emphasis on providing travelers with quality and value-for-money air services. During peak travel seasons, these airlines often open additional flights and make extra efforts to get tourists to their destinations on time. Furthermore, the nation’s low-cost airlines, such as Spring Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines, have helped reduce airfare rates, and the number of travelers has increased significantly.
Rising Demand
For Air Travel In China
A further driving factor of the incredible expansion of CNN air travel in China has been the increasing demand for air travel spurred by a rising middle-class and dual-income households who can afford to travel more frequently. China’s middle class, which already accounts for 33% of the total population, is growing and with it, the demand for frequent air travel. Furthermore, the increasing wealth of the Chinese people is enabling a greater number of Chinese to afford an air travel ticket which further stimulates the country’s air travel sector.
A lack of capacity and infrastructural constraints in some parts of the country are also driving up the demand for Chinese air travel. With China’s rail network unable to cope with increased demand for travel, more Chinese are migrating to air travel as an efficient alternative. Moreover, recent air safety incidents, such as the crash of a Chinese plane in 2013, have not had a lasting impact on Chinese views of air travel. In fact, the Chinese have responded positively with an even greater commitment to safe, secure air travel.
An Airport Boom
In China
In order to meet the ever-increasing demand for air travel in China, the country has seen an unprecedented number of airports being built in the last decade. As of March 2017, China had 238 airports across the nation, with 12 additional airports having been opened in 2016 alone. This growth is expected to continue with plans to construct at least 89 new airports across the nation in the near future.
Moreover, the airports themselves are undergoing extensive modernizations. Beijing Capital International Airport, which is the world’s second busiest airport, is being updated to handle up to 100 million passengers every year by 2025, while other airports have also been modernized in order to move up the rankings of the world’s busiest airports. Additionally, a number of smaller airports are being built to improve regional connectivity and help bring farther-flung parts of the country into the travel fray.
The Emergence Of Low-Cost Airlines
In China
The surge in air travel demand has also made low-cost airlines a profitable industry, prompting the emergence of budget airlines in the country. Low-cost carriers such as Spring Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines, have provided competitive fares and increased air access for more passengers. With more Chinese preferring low-cost airlines over traditional airlines, these budget airlines have significantly grown in popularity over the years, with low-cost carriers now dominating the Chinese skies.
CNN air travel in China is all set to expand even further in the coming years, as more airports are set to open, new investments are made in aviation technology and the rise of low-cost carriers become the talk of the day. With its unique blend of modern infrastructure, competitive fares, safety standards and travel access, the Chinese air travel market offers a promising opportunity for travelers of all kinds.
Regulations And Expansion
For CNN air travel in China to further grow, for airlines to remain competitive, and for new ventures to be successful, a strict and comprehensive regulatory system is needed in order to ensure an efficient air travel market. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is responsible for airline licensing, as well as the formulation of policies and regulations related to air transport operations. In addition, the CAAC’s role includes safety monitoring and organizing air routes that are safe, efficient and feasible. Furthermore, the CAAC also sets pricing rules, aircraft use rules, as well as other aviation-related regulatory measures.
In its effort to further expand and develop the air travel industry in the nation, the CAAC has implemented regulations and laws that are designed to help make air travel more efficient and reliable. Major policy reforms that have been implemented in recent years include the relaxation of foreign investment rules, the removal of foreign-owned carriers’ restrictions and the abolishment of the Ministry of Railways’ monopoly over high-speed railway services. These, in addition to other liberalisation measures, have made China one of the fastest growing air travel markets in the world.
International Air Travel Expansion
The Chinese air travel market is well on its way to further expansion in the international scene, as the nation is set to further open its sector to foreign carriers. Since 2015, foreign airlines have been allowed to expand their domestic operations in China, and as of 2017 foreign airlines had established more than 70 routes linking the country with other parts of the world. In addition, the country also opened up its international air travel market to foreign skies with the liberalization of air policy, allowing foreign airlines to enter and expand operations in the Asian nation.
In November 2018, the Chinese and the US government jointly announced that they had agreed to expand the number of flights and destinations for airlines from both countries, allowing US airlines to open more than 150 new services to China each year starting 2019. This agreement is a major milestone in the development of the Chinese air travel market and it is expected to help further boost the country’s air traffic.
Modernising Air Route Usage Regulations
In an effort to further expand Chinese air travel, the Chinese government is modernizing and improving air route usage regulations. These reforms will increase the efficiency of air transport and enhance customer experience while also promoting innovation in the industry. The government is also working to relax restrictions on air route usage and to introduce more competition in the market, allowing airlines to enjoy higher utilization rates and more flexible pricing options. Furthermore, these reforms are expected to stimulate further investment in the industry, providing additional capital and resources for airlines to expand their reach and operations.
Economic Benefits For The Air Travel Industry
With the continual expansion of the Chinese air travel industry, and the ongoing reform of air route usage regulations, great economic advantages are expected to be brought to the Chinese air travel sector. As the industry continues to grow, it is predicted that the value of China’s aviation industry will surpass 6 trillion yuan (860 billion USD) by 2025, adding more than five million jobs to the market. Moreover, the overall economic benefits of the industry on the Chinese economy are also expected to increase, with a potential for the aviation sector to become a key engine of sustainable and inclusive growth in China.
Safety Improvements And Aircraft Fleet Expansion
In order for China’s aviation industry to continue its growth, greater improvements need to be made regarding safety standards. Chinese airlines have responded to this need with plans to increase their purchase of new aircraft and replace outdated ones. A growing and modern aircraft fleet is essential for air travel operations as new aircraft are able to increase efficiency and provide better quality services to passengers. Aircraft demand in China is predicted to reach 1,720 aircraft from 2017 to 2021, with China being the world’s largest aircraft market in the next decade and as the demand for air travel also continues to increase in the long-term.
Digital And Social Media Expansion
CNN air travel in China is being supported by digital technologies and social media platforms in order to make the industry more accessible to Chinese travelers. Through platforms such as Weibo, WeChat and Alipay, Chinese travelers are able to book flights with just a few taps on their mobile phones. Additionally, these technologies make it easier for passengers to compare prices, find discounts, and contact customer service representatives with just a few clicks and swipes. Furthermore, these digital technologies also provide Chinese airlines with reports and data related to customer trends and preferences, which allow for a more personalized customer service experience.
Conclusion
CNN air travel in China has been expanding rapidly and it has the potential to become the world’s top major aviation market in the upcoming years. With the continued growth of the air travel sector and the ongoing liberalization of air policy in China, the nation looks set to become one of the most important players in the global air transport industry. The availability of quality infrastructure, competitive airfare rates and improved safety standards have made Chinese air travel a preferred choice for locals and foreigners alike. With the help of digital technologies, social media platforms, and the introduction of new aircraft and air routes, China’s air travel sector has seen unprecedented growth and is sure to continue on its accelerated rise in the future.