Boeing has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Air Traffic Management Bureau to begin the process of developing joint airspace and air traffic management projects to alleviate increasing congestion in the skies over China.

Through the MOU agreement, Boeing will collaborate with the Chinese authority on their current and long-term plans to enhance the efficiency and capacity of China's airspace system, as China continues to grow into one of the world's largest and most complex aviation operating environments.

"We are focused on making sure that the airspace system does not limit growth of the airlines while maintaining the highest-levels of safety," said Che Jinjun, director general of the CAAC Air Traffic Management Bureau. "Airspace capacity and air traffic management is a shared interest between our organizations, and a natural space where we need to cooperate. We look forward to this collaboration with Boeing."

The scope of the agreement provides Boeing's industry-leading expertise in support of key initiatives of the Chinese authority in airspace management, flow management, aviation data, communication, navigation, surveillance, meteorology, general aviation and training. The new agreement builds upon existing cooperation between Boeing and the CAAC Air Traffic Management Bureau, which includes airspace simulation projects, technical and management training and new technology initiatives.

"This MOU reaffirms our longstanding relationship with the CAAC Air Traffic Management Bureau and highlights Boeing's expertise in the aviation services industry with airspace and air traffic management solutions that enhance efficiencies on a wide scale," said John Bruns, president of Boeing China. "China is the largest commercial market for Boeing with tremendous growth potential. It is mutually beneficial for Boeing and the CAAC to work together to develop lasting solutions that build and enhance airspace capacity in China."

To illustrate the need for increased capacity and more efficient air traffic management, the airspace shared between Shanghai, Nanjing, Ningbo, and Hangzhou, China exceeded 150 million passengers in 2016. This represents one of the busiest airspace corridors in the world. Shanghai reached new records in 2016 with 100 million passengers, which makes it one of the top five busiest airports following London, New York, Tokyo and Atlanta.

Contributed by Boeing