China GA Report EN

FACTORS IMPACTING
will act as not only a form of connectivity to outside cities, but an
economic booster.
Longchuan General Airport in Dehong is among those nowbeing
built and among 50 planned general aviation airports in the
Yunnan province. Upon completion of the airport, “Dehong aims
to boost development in manufacturing, repairing, professional
training and other related industries, promoting achievement in
the industrial chain of general aviation.”
In addition to GA airports, the government has positioned itself
to build a more extensive helicopter infrastructure network,
consisting of more helipads and landing spots. According to the
China Emergency Rescue Promotion Center, the goal is to build
850 helipads and over 1,400 landing spots across the country.
costly. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) further
attributes the shortage to a “high cost of pilot license, entry-level
low wages, reduced career interest, more stringent regulations
and a shortage of qualified instructors.”
The ICAO has called upon the region to “be prepared for the future
challenges higher volumes will create; this includes upgrades of
air control systems, improvement of airport infrastructure and
harmonization of pilot training, according to the international
standards, with a high focus on aviation English.”
Not only does the entire industry — commercial and general —
face this shortage, but general aviation additionally faces a sort
of competition with commercial airlines, which often offers more
attractive incentives to pilots.
PERSONNEL SHORTAGE
Growing fleets and increased passenger traffic levels require
manpower. According to Boeing’s 2016 Pilot and Technician
Outlook, “Over the next 20 years, the Asia-Pacific region will lead
the worldwide growth in demand for pilots, with a requirement
for 248,000 new pilots.” Leading the region in this demand is
China, requiring 111,000 commercial pilots.
“Overall global fleet growth, along with the increasing trend
for operators to outsource maintenance, repair, and overhaul
activities to third party providers, will drive and increase the need
for qualified technicians,” explains the report. The Asia-Pacific
region will require 268,000 new technical personnel over the next
20 years, with China requiring 119,000 technicians.
The need for cabin crew will continue to soar, as well, with flight
routes continuing to expand and airlines growing their fleets.
The Asia-Pacific region will again require the highest number –
298,000 cabin crew within the next 20 years. The projections
come as the number of passenger traffic is expected to increase.
The Asia-Pacific region — and specifically China — is the
hardest hit when it comes to this shortage. Unlike many Western
countries, opportunities to join the industry are limited and
ECONOMIC GROWTH
The development of GA in China will undoubtedly act as an
economic booster to and the country. The Chinese State Council
estimates the industry will be worth over RMB 1T (approximately
US$150B) in the coming years.
As the country moves to develop airports and more aircraft, the
industry will need to be supported by a solid workforce. Jobs will
subsequently be created within and outside of the GA industry
including pilots and training, manufacturing and surrounding airport
services. The local GDP of provinces will, therefore, likely increase.
To further incentivize citizens and companies within general aviation,
government subsidies are offered to China-based GA operators, as
well as Chinese manufacturers, to improve the production of local
aircraft.
In larger provinces, including Tianjin and Beijing, economic zones
have been introduced. Such is the case of the Tianjin Airport
Economic Zone, which falls within the Tianjin Free-Trade Zone. The
airport zone offers development of aerospace along with many
other industries such as food production and manufacturing, and
additionally offers incentives to businesses within the zone, to boost
economic activity and encourage businesses to move to the area.
2017 CHINA GA REPORT | 11