China to spend RMB400 billion on airports

The seemingly relentless rate of airport development in China continues. As part of a fiscal stimulus package intended to boost domestic demand and offset the global economic slowdown, the government has announced investments of RMB400 billion (USD58 billion) in airport construction and expansion. This forms part of a larger programme of spending of RMB4,000 billion on the country’s infrastructure.

Among major projects to taken forward will be a second Beijing Capital Airport at an estimated cost of RMB35 billion, Kunming New Airport (RMB23 billion) and an expansion of facilities at Chengdu and Guangzhou airports, both costed at around RMB14 billion. Eleven other major airports feature in the planned investment programme. Smaller airports will also benefit from a spending boost as China increases the number of civilian airports from 160 to 244 over the next two years.

Airports in mainland China handled 405.8 million passengers in 2008 – up by 4.7% on the previous year. While the rate of traffic growth had slowed, continuing increases in passenger numbers could still see a figure of 500 million recorded by 2010, necessitating continuing investment in airport infrastructure.

Organised in response to industry needs to gain access to this major market, inter airport China 2010 will be the fourth of these events to take place in Beijing. With the organisers’ long-established experience in staging inter airport events globally and the success of three previous exhibitions in China, this latest show will again provide companies serving the airport sector with an unparalleled opportunity to understand the unique procurement processes and present their capabilities in this dynamic market.

The previous inter airport China show in 2008 attracted exhibitors from 15 countries. The success of the event was boosted by an informative and well attended Meet the Buyers programme, during which senior figures from China’s airports sector outlined their development plans to organisations participating in the exhibition. This valuable feature will be presented again in 2010.

To guarantee your company’s presence at this gateway to China’s booming airport systems market, call now to reserve your stand at inter airport China 2010!