Although leases on 43 airplanes are expected to expire this year, available seats will increase by 16% with the addition of the new deliveries.
In 2008 Chinese airlines carried 192 million passengers and 4.03 million tons of cargo, respectively increases of 3.3% up and 0.2%. In previous years growth averaged 15%.
Although CAAC plans not to approve the establishment of any new airlines until next year, it will approve more commuter flights, like the Beijing-Shanghai express, to help airlines compete with high-speed rail services.
Source: AIN Online