The 2019 China and South Asia Aviation Trends Forum Promotes Common Development Through Interconnection and Cooperation
China Aviation Daily | Jun. 17, 2019
On June 13, 2019, the Third China and South Asia Aviation Trends Forum was successfully held in Kunming, China. The forum, co-hosted by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Transportation, the Yunnan Branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the Yunnan Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, and the Yunnan Provincial Department of Commerce, was co-sponsored by the Yunnan Airport Group, CARNOC.COM, and the China-South Asia Business Forum Secretariat.
Focusing on the theme of "interconnected development, open cooperation and sharing", the delegates discussed issues of the development and prospects of the aviation industry, the construction and improvement of airline networks, international exchange and cooperation in civil aviation, and technological progress and sharing in China and South Asia, exploring the future prospects for the industry in this region.
Wang Xiangang, deputy governor of Yunnan Province, pointed out in the welcome speech of the forum that Yunnan is actively pursuing and integrating into the open road linking the province with foreign countries, especially South Asian countries. In September 2017, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the Yunnan Provincial Government jointly issued the "Kunming International Aviation Hub Strategic Plan" to upgrade the construction of Kunming International Aviation Hub to the national strategic level. This China-South Asia Aviation Trend Forum, as a sub-forum of the China-South Asia Trade Convention, is a manifestation of the strengthening trade and commerce ties between China and South Asia as well as the determination of the aviation industry in the region to promote joint development.
In the opening speech, Bai Wenli, deputy director of the International Department of CAAC, said that civil aviation is an important strategic industry and an important channel for economic globalization. Its development reflects the level of modernization and comprehensive strength of a country. The high-quality development of Yunnan's civil aviation industry has played an important role in promoting regional connectivity, improving the local opening up environment, and promoting the optimization and upgrading of industrial structure and spatial layout. It has become a new source of power for regional economic development.
Lu Xuesong, Deputy Director of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Transportation said that international air passengers in China and South Asia are growing fast and will continue to grow. Transportation, especially air traffic, takes priority in the interconnection. He hopes that the forum can deepen the aviation cooperation between China and South Asian countries, and promote the development of inter-regional air transport.
In his speech, Tang Xuefan, Chairman of Yunnan Airport Group, introduced the achievements and broad prospects of Yunnan Civil Aviation. He said that he hopes to build a platform through the forum to provide opportunities for communication and effective interaction among representatives of the civil aviation industry in various countries. He also welcomed cooperation with Yunnan Airport Group from all parties to actively participate in the construction of Kunming International Aviation Hub and share the opportunities and benefits brought by China and Yunnan. Under the development pattern of Belt and Road Initiative, Yunnan Airport Group will continue to strengthen interconnection with the civil aviation industry in South Asia, realize cooperation and sharing, and create a new future for the aviation industry.
The forum contains three panels under the title of "Foresight: Promoting the Long-Term Development of the Civil Aviation Industry", "Connection: Promoting the Interconnection between China and South Asia", and "Dialogue: Collaboration and Development of Airlines, Airports and Air Traffic Controls". 20 speakers shared their understandings of the development of the industry and strategies and practices based on their own experience, having enhanced mutual understanding and trust and laid the foundation for the future exchange and cooperation. The discussion session of the forum was held under the theme of "Development and Sales of South Asia Routes", in which guest speakers talked from various perspectives such as aviation, education, medical care and tourism.
The South Asian Aviation Market Research Platform has demonstrated the research results of the South Asian aviation market and awarded Subir Hazra, Vice President and Head Strategic Planning at Delhi Airport; Sanjiv Taneja, Chief Financial Officer of Mumbai Airport; Sandeep Bahl, Program Director of the U.S-India Aviation Cooperation Program; and Jin Cheng, Director of the South Asian think tank at Yunan Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, as "Honorary Consultants" of the platform.
The South Asia Aviation Market Research Platform was jointly established by CADAS, a consulting brand of CARNOC.COM, and the Yunnan Airport Group in November 2018, aiming at studying and analyzing the market dynamics of China and South Asia, and promoting the exchange and development of aviation markets in Yunnan and South Asia. CADAS relies on the most timely global aviation information and resources of the CARNOC.COM and big data system provided by VariFlight to explore aviation big data, industry and market trend.
CARNOC.COM has held the first China-India Aviation Trends Forum in Shanghai in January 2018 to forecast the changes in South Asian aviation and strengthen the links and exchanges between China and South Asian countries. It is a communication platform for civil aviation decision makers, experts and other civil aviation stakeholders. The second China-India Aviation Trends Forum was jointly held by CARNOC.COM and Yunnan Airport Group in Novermber 2018, during which the South Asian Aviation Market Research Platform was established.
The scale and influence of the third forum were further enhanced. Featured delegates, apart from previously mentioned ones, also include the Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Bureau of Sri Lanka and the Chief Commercial Officer of Indigo Airlines. More than 150 delegates from civil aviation administrations, airports, airlines, research institutes, OTA platforms, and tourism companies of 5 countries have attended the forum.