China to invest $227 bln in development of civil aviation.

BEIJING, February 24 (Itar-Tass) -- During the 12th five-year plan
(2011-2015), the Chinese government will invest more than 1.5 trillion
yuans (227.3 billion dollars) in the development of civil aviation, head
of the Chinese Civil Aviation Department Li Jiaxiang said here on Thursday.
The funds will be invested in building new airports and increasing the
air fleet. According to the official, it is planned to build about 45 new
airports by 2015. Thus their total number in the country will amount to
220. By that time, the authorities also intend to almost double the fleet
of passenger planes up to 2,600 aircraft.
According to the government's plans, in the coming 20 years, China is
to occupy leading positions in the world market of civil air
transportations. By 2030, the number of civil flights, which are annually
made by Chinese planes, is to be brought to 1.5 billion. According to data
over 2009, this figure was equal to 230 million. In the next five years,
the given index is to be increased up to 450-500 million flights.