China International General Aviation Convention 2015(CIGAC), the largest general aviation event in the nation, officially kicked off on Thursday in Xi'an, capital city of Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

With the opening up of China's low-altitude airspace, rapid developments in infrastructure and strong market demand, China is preparing for a General Aviation boom. "By now, there are as many as 268 general aviation enterprises, an increase of 160 percent from 103 in 2009," said Wang Zhiqing, deputy chief of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) at the opening ceremony of CIGAC 2015. The total aircraft amount of general aviation fleets has reached 2,210, increased by 232 on the basis of 1,987 by the end of 2014.

In 2014, the operation duration of the general aviation experienced a robust increase of 105% to 675,000 hours from that in 2009.

Early this year, the aviation watchdog outlined plans to build 1,600 new general aviation airports over the next 15 years. An official said that 280 billion yuan would be generated if all 2,800 Chinese counties had a general aviation aerodrome. More than 100 general aviation industrial parks are under construction or will soon begin construction right across the country

During the five days exhibition from October 15 to 19, as many as 600 domestic and overseas aviation enterprises are showcasing more than 120 general aircraft in CIGAC 2015, the fourth convention. An amazing array of flying displays and static exhibitions makes it one of the great aviation and aerospace events in China.

Approved by the State Council in 2009, CIGAC is so far the largest aviation promotion event in China with Xi'an as its permanent host. The event is held every two years.