24 Sep 2019

China Aviation Industry Newsletter 24 September

China Southern Airlines Launches New Service in Greater Bay Area A launch conference for China Southern Airlines' new products in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area was held recently, bringing more convenience for people travelling in the area. A service allowing passengers taking express airlines of China Southern Airlines to reschedule their flight for free was launched, as long as the flight departs from Guangzhou and Shenzhen and the flight route remains the same. A total of 10 airlines heading to destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai Hongqiao, Xi'an, Haikou, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Zhengzhou, and Chengdu are included in the service. China's C919 Undergoes Test Flights Four C919s, large civil jet aircraft developed by China, are undergoing intensive test flights according to the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd as Chinanews.com reported. COMAC said the C919 has been developed in accordance with international civil aviation regulations, and COMAC owns independent intellectual property rights for the single-aisle trunkliner. The corporation plans to place six C919 in test fights, four of which have been underway in Shanghai, Xi'an, Dongying and Nanchang. The other two aircraft are in assembly and slated to be put into test flight this year. COMAC Says Production of C919 to Start Later This Year Commercial Aircraft Corp of China, the manufacturer of China's first home-built narrow-body passenger jet C919, said it will start manufacturing the first aircraft later this year and it aims to get airworthiness certification and deliver to China Eastern Airlines in two to three years. Now, four C919 test jets--the 101,102, 103 and 104 prototypes--are in intense flying tests, static tests and other ground tests at test bases including Yanliang district in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, Dongying in Shandong province, and Nanchang in Jiangxi province. Another two new test jets, the 105 and 106, will be put into tests within this year. So far, 815 orders have been placed for the C919 from home and abroad. "The manufacturing of the C919 will help the Chinese aviation industry to be involved in the world's supply chain system of large aircraft, and China will be able to acquire valuable experience," said Wang Yanan, editor-in-chief of Aerospace Knowledge magazine. Hainan Airlines to Start Flight Service Between Chengdu, Chicago  A new nonstop passenger flight between the O'Hare International Airport of Chicago and Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu in Southwest China's Sichuan province commenced on 16 September. Hainan Airlines will operate a nonstop flight service with a 213-seat B787-8 aircraft twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. China has for many years remained one of the top trade partners for US Midwestern states, as well as an important source of investment. In the first 11 months of 2018, Chinese tourists visiting Chicago increased by 2.1 percent over the same period of 2017, according to Choose Chicago statistics. Smart Security Check System Launched in Guangzhou A smart security check system was put into operation last week at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in South China's Guangdong province to speed up the security check process. The system, supported by big data from the airport's security check department, airline companies and the police department, is able to analyze the passenger's past travel records, said Luo Junhua, vice general manager of the airport's security check department. Xi'an Airport Cooperates with Shaanxi Tourism Group at World Routes 2019 On September 22nd, the China Western Airport Group (CWAG) and Shaanxi Tourism Group Company attended the opening ceremony at World Routes 2019 in Adelaide together and took this great opportunity to exhibit the importance and potential of Xi'an airport. Over 3000 delegates from more than 400 airlines, 200 airports and 40 government related tourism administrations joined the event. The president of CWAG said, "our participation with Shaanxi Tourism Group Company is a new attempt of integration of aviation and tourism. We are going to make full use of our advantages to expand the pattern of development in the Xi'an area. We insist on the principle of collaboration development and we believe that we can make contributions to Xi'an's economy by strengthening the connectivity and accessibility with other departments." Wuxi Airport Adds Flight to Germany Sunan Shuofang International Airport in Wuxi opened a new intercontinental cargo air service to Frankfurt-Hahn Airport in Germany on 15 September, which will mainly transport electronics products and related accessories to the European Union. Two intercontinental cargo flights to Hahn and Cincinnati in the United States were introduced first in May last year. Sunan Shuofang International Airport became the first in Jiangsu province to have six overseas cargo air flights a week. Acumen Aviation © 24 September 2019 All Rights Reserved.