| Recent figures show that China is the fastest | | | | create a network across the country which could be |
| growing aviation market in the world. Indeed, | | | | integrated with their air freight services. |
| between 204 and 2005 China's air freight volume | | | | Furthermore, opportunities will be created by the |
| increased by 25% and 20% respectively. | | | | expansion of Beijing Capital International airport along |
| Furthermore, passenger traffic also grew considerably | | | | with the Simplified Customs Clearance Procedure. |
| in this period. | | | | These two factors will combine to accelerate the |
| However, shortage of available freighters is | | | | growth of the air freight business in China. |
| threatening to restrict the growth of China's air | | | | Although the growth rate of China's air freight sector |
| freight industry. | | | | is expected to slow down this in 2006, it will not stop |
| According to the vice President of China's largest air | | | | completely. According to experts in the freight |
| freight forwarding company, | | | | industry, Chinese air freight cargo volumes are |
| "We want to expand as fast as possible ... But it is | | | | predicted to increase by 10% in 2006. If this does |
| very difficult to find aircraft at the moment." | | | | happen then China's air freight volume will be 3.36 |
| One way around the problem of freighter shortages | | | | million tons. This means that it will still be a dominant |
| is to use other aircraft, like the B777 which are new | | | | player in the global air freight market. |
| freighters with very good fuel efficiency. However, | | | | On a similar note, air passenger numbers are also |
| these types of freight planes are unlikely to be | | | | likely to grow. Industry insiders estimate that air |
| available for the next couple of years. | | | | passenger numbers will rise by 15%. If this increase |
| Other options that some of China's large freight | | | | takes place then around 159 million people will travel |
| forwarding companies are looking into is to expand | | | | by aeroplane out of China this year. |
| their road feeder services. This would enable them to | | | | |