China to construct 74 airports by 2020

Beijing, Feb 20: China is planning to construct 74 more civil transport airports by 2020, an official report said.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) report provides the blueprint and sets the goals for the development of China's civil aviation industry during the country's 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) period, which outlines the government plans for economic and social development over a period of five years, the People's Daily reported on Monday.

The report said the country will continue to construct 30, and build 44 new, civil transport airports between 2016 and 2020, and the number of civil transport airports will reach about 260 by 2020.

"These projects would make trips to China's third tier cities (generally the medium-sized cities of each province) much easier," it said.

China is also aiming at a 28 per cent increase in air passenger turnover volume by 2020.

As for China's general aviation airports, during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) period, the number has already reached 310, with the hope that number would reach 500 before 2020, according to the report.

It is also hoped there will be over 5,000 general aviation aircraft and 7,000 general aviation pilots by 2020.