Aviation industry to witness rapid development
( 2003-11-11 22:41) (Xinhua)
China's aviation industry will
develop rapidly in the coming five to 10 years, with its airport number
increasing the fastest in the world, said Alexander Strahl, secretary general of
the Airports Council International (ACI), on Tuesday.
As the most populated country in the world, China has more and more
passengers who are willing and able to travel by air, said Strahl at a press
conference at which he announced the relocation of ACI's Pacific regional office
from Vancouver to Hong Kong at the end of June 2004.
He forecast that the number of air passengers worldwide will double the
current figure by 2020. In particular, the growth rate of passengers in the
Asia-Pacific region will be much higher than the world average.
"Hong Kong is a dynamic city located at the heart of the region, one that
will serve the Pacific region of ACI well as our membership base develops
throughout the region, particularly in Northeast Asia and China," said Strahl.
"Since my travel in Hong Kong a couple of days ago, I have travelled to the
Pearl River Delta and met airport officials. I have seen for myself the robust
growth of the aviation industry round this part of the world. It is a good move
for ACI to relocate its Pacific regional office to such a vibrant center of
aviation and trade development," said Strahl.
ACI is the international association of the world's airports. Its prime
purpose is to foster cooperation among its members and with other partners in
world aviation, including government, airline and aircraft manufacturing
organizations. At present, more than 1,500 airports have joined the
organization.
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