China to invest US$12b in civil aviation this year

Beijing

CHINA will allocate about 77 billion yuan (S$16.8 billion) for investment in civil aviation this year, beginning with 11 key projects, as the country looks to improve infrastructure to cope with surging air-travel demand and bolster economic growth.

The country will also begin 52 aviation-related expansion or upgrading projects this year, and a blueprint for new airports to be built by 2030 will be launched later this year by the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the National Development and Reform Commission. China's chief civil aviation regulator said the agency will help domestic and international airlines start more than 200 new overseas routes this year.