Li Jiaxiang, director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, has announced that China is set to build 82 new airports and expand 101 existing ones over the course of a current five-year plan, which is scheduled to end in 2015. Upon the plan’s completion, the country will have 230 airports, up from the current 182.
In addition, two of the country’s airlines are increasing their offerings. Hainan Airlines (HNA) will begin service next year between Chicago O’Hare and Beijing, with four weekly nonstop flights in the second quarter of 2013. The company plans to use Boeing 787 Dreamliners on the new route. China Southern Airlines (CZ) will operate an Airbus A380 on its Guangzhou-Los Angeles route, starting Oct. 12, to accelerate its international expansion pace. www.cnto.org
