By Li Jianwei, Liu Yu & Liu Tao, Research Team on "Development Strategy for China's Small-and-medium-sized Cities' Accessibility and Regional Aviation", Research Department of Social Development, DRC

Research Report Special Issue No 40, 2015 (Total NO 1443)

Abstract:

To evaluate air transport accessibility of small-and-medium-sized cities, we take transport time from small-and-medium-sized cities to core cities as the absolute indicator to measure accessibility of the former and construct a comprehensive indicator system from both sides of supply and demand. Generally speaking, China's regional aviation remains undeveloped, huge disparities exist between small-and-medium-sized cities and node-cities on trunk lines, and accessibility indicators of regional aviation network lags far behind the level of trunk line aviation network. Insufficient supply capability is the main factor restricting regional aviation development, especially in the central and western regions. From the perspective of dynamic development, as small-and-medium-sized cities continue to develop, even those that can coordinate supply and demand may face inadequate supply in the future unless supply capability secures continued development. Meanwhile, the stagnant regional aviation development exerts a major impact on establishing integrated efficient connecting flights and forming a national aviation network covering the entire territory.