Aviation Special: Aviation giant AVIC sees soaring future ahead

As China opens up its low-altitude airspace and improves emergency rescue operations, the number of civil aviation aircraft in the nation is expected to grow from the 1,230 in operation last year to 7,570 by 2020, according to Lin Zuoming, president of Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC).

China's rapid economic development is creating tremendous demand for civil aircraft, Lin said at Aeroday 2011, Europe's largest aviation industry summit, held this year from March 30 to April 1 in Madrid.

As well, he predicted total passenger numbers will grow 8.3 percent by the end of 2029, with cargo turnover projected to surge 9.8 percent over the period. The number of passenger aircraft is expected to more than triple to 4,724 by the end of 2029 from the 1,340 in 2009.

Localization will play an increasingly important role.

"AVIC will strengthen cooperation with both domestic and foreign aircraft manufacturers and suppliers and make full use of those advantages to provide a full range of trunk liners, regional aircraft, helicopters and civil aircraft," he said.

The State-owned aviation heavyweight - which controls 22 listed companies - will continue to fully support development of China's first passenger jet, the C919, he said.

It will also continue subcontracted work on the A350 and B787 airliners, and enhance its research on key technologies for long-range wide-body aircraft.

Regional aircraft

He noted AVIC's support for development of domestic aircraft includes continued R&D on the ARJ21 and C series to form a family of regional aircraft.

It is committed to developing a series of 30- to 90-seat turboprop aircraft.

Building on its current helicopter lineup, AVIC will move into development of helicopters ranging in size from 2 to 20 tons.

It will continue to develop business jets, amphibious aircraft and new general-use turboprops.

The president also outlined the aircraft giant's technologies in aerodynamics, engines, systems, materials and manufacturing.

"AVIC will increase the level of R&D expenditure to 4 percent of revenue in the near future ," he said.

In addition, boosting its international presence is at the top of the agenda.

Lin said AVIC will enhance its participation in development of the Boeing 787, the A350 and the C series while expanding cooperation on the ARJ21, C919 and long-range wide-body passenger aircraft.

AVIC now has more than 400,000 employees and generated 205 billion yuan in revenue last year.

(China Daily 05/06/2011 page16)