China unveils five-year plan for civil aviation industry

China's civil aviation regulator on Aug 7 released a development plan for the civil aviation industry during the 2026-30 period.

According to the plan issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the industry aims to achieve world-class standards in safety, service capacity and infrastructure by 2030, while securing major breakthroughs in technological innovation, green and low-carbon development, and governance capacity.

By then, the industry will provide stronger support for major national strategies, boost regional economic and social development, and better meet people's needs for air travel, according to the plan.

To achieve these goals, the industry will pursue smart, green and integrated development during the 2026-2030 period, with safety as the bottom line, the plan notes.

Besides calling for coordinated efforts to improve infrastructure and upgrade services, the plan adds that decisive progress will be made in building a modern civil aviation system that is safe, convenient, efficient, green and economical.

The latest CAAC data showed that China's civil aviation industry maintained steady expansion in the first half of 2026, with total transport turnover rising 6.4 percent year on year to 83.37 billion tonne-kilometers.