China to Build Green Aviation

ANCHOR: China's civil aviation regulator has recently announced that it will achieve "green development" in the coming five years. However, concerns arise as whether this pursuit of emissions reduction will pose a hindrance to the development of the world's second largest aviation market.

Tingting reports.

REPORTER:

The Civil Aviation Administration of China announced a series of measures in emissions reduction. Those include setting up its own industry-wide Monitoring, Reporting and Verification system; boosting its supervision and management system for airlines and airports; enhancing the flexible use of airspace to minimize flight distances; and publicizing energy-saving and emissions-reduction programs throughout the whole industry.

Li Jiaxiang(李家祥), head of the administration, gives an example.

"Last year, with better airspace management, each flight reduced 3 minutes' time waiting on land. And that saved more than 280,000 waiting hours and corresponding fuel consumption around the whole nation. "

China is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets around the world. Last year, traffic volume of the Beijing Capital Airport exceeded 70 million passenger visits, making it the second busiest airport in the world. And 16 airports in China received more than 10 million passenger visits last year.

Li Jiaxiang again.

"The world civil aviation industry earned approximately 10 billion U.S. dollars last year, that's around 60 billion Yuan. And China Civial Aviation made more than 43 billion out of that 60 billion."

Facing the stunning development figures, many are concerned that emissions reduction will hinder its development.

Dr. Ma Xiangshan, Senior Climate Change Officer of China Civil Aviation Administration, indicates that improved technology and operations are the solution.

According to Ma, innovation and advances in engine technology, biofuels and air traffic management are the best choices in making substantial reductions while still guaranteeing the development of the industry.

In 2009, through an experimental program at the country's international airports such as Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong and Guanghzhou Baiyun, the industry saved 38,000 tons of fuel and reduced carbon emissions by around 120,000 tons. In the same year, through the opening of temporary direct routes, a total of 15.8 million kilometres of flying distance was shortened, resulting in a saving of 88,000 tons of fuel and a reduction of about 280,000 tons of carbon emissions.

For CRI, I'm Tingting.