In order to promote the safe operation and development of overseas airlines in China, a conference on work of overseas airlines was held in Beijing on December 7 and relevant departments of CAAC made in-depth exchanges with overseas airlines. CAAC Deputy Administrator Wang Zhiqing attended the conference and called for concerted efforts by CAAC and overseas airlines to implement CAAC’s policies and measures and to improve the business environment. He hoped that the overseas airlines strengthen implementation of policies to ensure their lawful operations and compliance with regulations in China.

At the conference, relevant departments of CAAC explained operations, complaints and flight regularity of overseas airlines, the first amendment to CCAR-129, management measures for pre-reporting and pre-examination of information on persons transported by inbound and outbound aircraft, listened to views and suggestions by the overseas airlines and made positive responses to construction and operation of Bejing Daxing International Airport raised by the attendees.

On behalf CAAC, Wang Zhiqing extended heartfelt gratitude to the overseas airlines for their support of CAAC over the years. He remarked that during the 40 years since the reform and opening-up, Chinese civil aviation has developed rapidly and presently become the most important air transport market in the world. The overseas airlines are not only witnesses and participants of development of Chinese civil aviation, but also contributors and beneficiaries. At present, China has entered a period of high-quality development and the Chinese aviation market has taken on a long-term and positive outlook and it will be more open to the world. The overseas airlines are welcome to conduct operations in China and launch routes to China and increase flight frequencies to China. It is our hope that the two sides can jointly become bigger and stronger, building more efficient and convenient air ways for the reform and opening-up of China.

It is said that over the 40 years the China’s aviation industry has maintained a double-digit growth and its passenger transport has accounted for 12% of the world total, and has become the most important air transport market in the world. Now China has established formal ties in civil aviation with 126 countries (regions), and non-stop cargo and passenger markets are fully opened between China and 14 countries including ASEAN, Australia, Chile, Maldives; and cargo markets are fully opened between China and 21 countries (regions) such as United States, New Zealand and United Kingdom. Up to now, route network between 169 overseas airlines and Chinese airlines has covered six continents. In 2018, passenger traffic is expected to reach 0.6 billion, and inbound and outbound passengers will stand at 0.15 billion for the first time.

Relevant departments of CAAC and over 100 representatives from 66 overseas airlines and International Air Transport Association (IATA) attended the conference.