Recently, CAAC, together with the National Development and Reform Commission, released the “Guidelines on Promoting the Building of International Aviation Hubs” (hereinafter referred to as the “Guidelines”). The aim is to address challenges of China’s international aviation hubs such as inadequate strategic planning, lack of competitiveness, low efficiency in collaborative operations, and insufficient capabilities in international transport service. It is designed to help build high-level international aviation hubs with enhanced international competitiveness in civil aviation, better leverage the strategic importance of the civil aviation industry, and provide strong support for implementing major national strategies. The “Guidelines” sets serving high-level opening-up, meeting the public demand for quality air travel, advancing the development of civil aviation and building China’s strength in transport as its goals.

The “Guidelines” shapes the development goals for the building of international aviation hubs: the functional system of international aviation hubs will be basically formed by 2025; the functional system will be fully established by 2035; and by 2050, a number of world-class aviation enterprises and hubs will be built, and the functional system of international aviation hubs will be further improved, which will help build China into a first-class air transport powerhouse with robust support, great public satisfaction, and strong competitiveness.