China will build "model airport economic zones" in pilot cities, the country's aviation watchdog said Friday.

The move is aimed at supporting the development of airports, a new engine for regional growth and industrial upgrading, according to a statement from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). ( Qualified cities will have an airport that handles at least 100,000 tonnes of cargo or more than 10 million passengers annually, the statement said, citing a document released by the CAAC and the National Development and Reform Commission in June.

It said those cities should also be an operation base for more than one airline company or several large logistics firms.

The document didn't specify how many such pilot areas will be established.

Airport economic zones are major carriers for the integration and upgrading of the civil aviation industry and regional economy, as they combine air transportation with high-end manufacturing and modern service industries, the CAAC said.

There were 63 airport economic zones built or being planned in 62 cities around China by the end of 2014, CAAC data showed.

China had 202 civil airports in 2014, with the annual passenger flow rising 10.2 percent from 2013 to 831.5 million people and cargo traffic increasing 7.8 percent to 13.6 million tonnes.

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