China's high-speed railway changes civil aviation industry

A high-speed rail train stops at the Foshanxi railway station in Guangdong province, Aug 18, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's high-speed railway has changed the scale of civil aviation industry, a civil aviation professional said on Thursday.

"We used to believe that trips within 800 kilometers is bullet train's market. But with the development of China's high-speed rail network, the market may expand to trips in 1,000 km," said Han Zhiliang, president of China's busiest airport Beijing Capital International Airport, adding that civil aviation in China is facing challenge in the next five years.

Han made the remarks at the Friend Airports Roundtable Conference.

"Unlike flights, trains are not easily affected by weather…Price is cheaper…China's high-speed rail grid has been developed greatly. In many area, wherever has an airport, it has access to high-speed rail…" Han said.

The impact from bullet trains have been seen by China's three major State-owned airlines, Air China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, according to their latest half-year earnings reports.

Air China said in its report that China has built the largest high-speed train network on the global, and the routes are expanding to the mid-western area. For medium and short-haul trips, many passengers prefer to choose high-speed trains as their way of transportation, given the high frequencies, cheap prices, on-time arrivals and convenience of high-speed trains, placing the aviation sector at a disadvantage.

The increase of international competition and complicated global politics also challenge China's civil aviation industry.

However, big challenges come along with great opportunities.

China's steady economic growth and opening-up policies have shed lights on the development of civil aviation, Han said.

Airliners in China carried 490 million passengers in 2016, ranking second in the world. Airliners in the United States carried nearly 930 million passengers.

"China has the potential to top the United States to carry the largest passenger population," Han said.

Belt and Road Initiatives encourages international communication, which will enhance the number of air travelers. 

luowangshu@chinadaily.com.cn