New proposals could open up cities' skies
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New reforms proposed for the general aviation sector could see the skies over major cities like Beijing become much busier over the next few years.
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A private jet flies over Fuzhou, Fujian Province. Experts say the reforms for the general aviation sector will benefit the development of the private jet and helicopter markets. |
A circular jointly issued by the State Council and the Central Military Commission said authorities would loosen controls on regulations governing low-altitude airspace in several zones, including Beijing, Nanjing, Chengdu and Guangzhou, a measure that would see private jets and helicopter services benefit the most.
General aviation refers to flights that take place at altitudes of below 2,000 meters and mainly involves helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. Commercial airlines usually operate at above 8,000 meters in the air.
At present, aircraft that wish to fly at altitudes of below 4,000 meters in China have to go through complicated approval procedures from military and civil aviation departments.
Under the new plans, companies that want to fly aircraft at altitudes lower than 1,000 meters would only need to report their flight schedules to military and civil aviation departments without having to wait for approval.
Lü Yong, president of the Nanjing-based Ruohang Transportation Development Company, a leading private company providing helicopter services, believes he will benefit from the reforms.
"China's general aviation industry has great potential to develop in the next five to 10 years, which may boost a chain market that is worth more than 1 trillion yuan ($150 billion)," he told the Global Times.
Experts say it is not just the aviation industry that will benefit from the opening up of low-altitude airspace.
"The public will be able to enjoy frequent helicopter medical emergency aid servic-es after low altitude airspace opens up, which has became a troublesome issue for most big cities due to terrible traffic jams," Zou Jianjun, a professor at the China Aviation Management Institute, told the Global Times Tuesday.
Helicopter tourism, aerial photography and emergency business flights will also be available for the public at a relatively low cost as the sector develops. "The price of helicopter services will be no higher than regular airfares in the near future," said Lü, whose company is planning to provide helicopter tour services next June in the Huangshan Mountain scenery area, East China's Anhui Province, priced at 800 yuan ($120) per hour for each passenger.
Making the numbers
However, there is an issue over whether supply can keep up with demand. Currently, China has some 1,000 aircraft used for general aviation, but market demand will rise to 10,000 by 2012 as hundreds of Chinese billionaires plan to purchase private airplanes, according to the Hurun Wealth Report 2010 released in April.
Lü said strengthening pilot training is key to the reform. At present, there are fewer than 1,000 pilots who can fly business and personal helicopters, and Lü expects the demand to increase significantly over the next few years.
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