Chinese Aviation Industry

henrik said:

Why is Singapore still flying the A380 when it is a smaller aviation market?

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Here is the fun fact, SIngapore Airlines operate 154 passenger jets, they have only 23 narrow body jets consist of Boeing 737 or 15% of the number of their fleet, the rest are wide body jumbos like A350-900, A350-900ULR (Ultra Long Range), Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-10, and will take delivery of 31 more Boeing 777-9 and Boeing 787-10.

Their A350-900ULR has range of 18,000km and is used on non-stop flight from SIngapore to New York, the longest air service in the World. SIngapore Airline is said to be the only operator of this ultra long range version of A350-900.

This is a pretty big deal.

China has put into service the world's largest vibration simulation system. The system can simulate vibration environments experienced by large turbofans, rocket engines, satellites, automotive and high-speed rail components, etc. Until now, vibration testing on oversized equipment had to be conducted at the component or sub-system level and on a piecemeal basis; this new simulation system can now test them in their fully assembled states.

FriedRiceNSpice said:

For domestic travel, HSR is just more efficient, economical, and far greener.

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HSR are also less affected by weather conditions, more punctual. Arrivals are accurate to the minute.

I recently traveled to Wuhan from HK, and back in HSR (first time ever) second class cabin. Funny enough all first class tickets were sold out, and trains were full both trips to and fro.
the seat was very comfortable with plenty of leg room, the cabin was very quiet, and hardly any vibration noticeable despite high speed.
the 5 hour trip went by in a whoosh, compared to 2 hours if by flight.
all in all definitely a good option for people who have more time to spare, and who do not wish to fly, especially in a Boeing plane, smiles.
China should continue to develop its domestic aviation industry including C919 and C929, while continuing to upgrade the scope and speed of its HSR.

I believe that air travel does have an important role for certain types of trips in China.

I also recently traveled from Shenzhen to northern China. The high-speed rail was an 8-hour trip. Tickets were uniformly sold out since it was the Chinese New Year. Tickets are commonly sold out during the holiday season.

In the end, I bought plane tickets. The plane ride was a 3-hour trip, and tickets were available - albeit expensive - during the Chinese New Year.

For certain trips, in my opinion, air travel is vital. This is especially the case for north-south voyages. For instance, the Guangzhou/Shenzhen <=> Beijing route is extremely common in China and essential for the economy. High-speed rail takes 9 hours or more, whereas planes take 3 hours. In this case, it is very important to have the flight option. Especially when it's a holiday season and the high-speed rail tickets are sold out, as they always are.

As of 10 January 2024, there were 259 certified civil airports and 106 certified general airports. As of 30 May 2023, the State Council of the People's Republic of China established 83 aviation ports (involving 86 airports), and the CAAC approved 63 airports to rename "International Airport" among them. This figure includes airports governed by the CAAC and it does not include the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau (or the area administered by Taiwan). Both Hong Kong and Macau have their own civil aviation regulators (the Civil Aviation Department and the Civil Aviation Authority respectively).

HSR has its place in China and is very popular, I took a train from Chonging to Xi'an during off tourist season, and it was full. On any day you are advised to book the ticket at least 3 or 4 days in advance. I bought the tickets 4 days before the 900 km railway trip.

And here is a map of civilian airport of all classes.

Enestori said:

I believe that air travel does have an important role for certain types of trips in China.

I also recently traveled from Shenzhen to northern China. The high-speed rail was an 8-hour trip. Tickets were uniformly sold out since it was the Chinese New Year. Tickets are commonly sold out during the holiday season.

In the end, I bought plane tickets. The plane ride was a 3-hour trip, and tickets were available - albeit expensive - during the Chinese New Year.

For certain trips, in my opinion, air travel is vital. This is especially the case for north-south voyages. For instance, the Guangzhou/Shenzhen <=> Beijing route is extremely common in China and essential for the economy. High-speed rail takes 9 hours or more, whereas planes take 3 hours. In this case, it is very important to have the flight option. Especially when it's a holiday season and the high-speed rail tickets are sold out, as they always are.

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I would still stick to rail transport if the difference is 5 hours or less. You would have to compensate for additional time for flights such as

1. travel time from where your departure location mostly inside the city. + 1 hour
2. Check-in time to flight departure time +1 hour
3. Pickup luggage time and finding transportation after arrival + 1 hour
4. Travel time from airport to destination city central station + 1 hour
5. Comfort and productive time spent on Rail compared to plane. + >1 hour.
6. Ability to bring irregular size luggage and perhaps pet on Rail compared to Plane.
7 Anxiety of wondering how to reach your final destination upon arrival at destination airport.

Enestori said:

For certain trips, in my opinion, air travel is vital. This is especially the case for north-south voyages. For instance, the Guangzhou/Shenzhen <=> Beijing route is extremely common in China and essential for the economy. High-speed rail takes 9 hours or more, whereas planes take 3 hours. In this case, it is very important to have the flight option. Especially when it's a holiday season and the high-speed rail tickets are sold out, as they always are.

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For longer trips, it does make sense. But when comparing travel times, especially for shorter trips, one should also take into account the additional time required for getting to the airport and waiting at the airport. For flights, generally you'd want to be at the airport at least an hour before the flight. Additionally, in most Chinese cities, the train stations are located near the center of the city while the airport is located at the outter edges. During my most recent visit to China, the train station was only 10 minutes away from my hotel, while the airport was over an hour away (and it was a relatively small city. In a larger city, it would take even more time to reach the closest airport).

thank you Icloo for the map.
never realized there were so many international airports in China!! Seems most of them are in Central China, only 1 in Xinjiang, and none in Xizang.

Jono said:

thank you Icloo for the map.
never realized there were so many international airports in China!! Seems most of them are in Central China, only 1 in Xinjiang, and none in Xizang.

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I heard it is not a good idea to fly directly to Xizang unless you are well acclimated to high altitude.
Demand is also low because of such limitation.