continue to consolidate the
basic conditions for efficient
operation and industry
management.
An open, customer-oriented
air logistics public information
service platform for airlines
and airports is also to be
created. Freight stations, freight
forwarding companies, cargo
owners, Customs, inspection
and quarantine departments
will all provide integrated
information services.
The freight security chain
will also come in for attention.
A freight security information
platform, supported by
technical means such as
neutral air electronic waybill
and IoT cargo tracking, with
collection and sharing of
information risk assessments,
is on the cards. Dangerous
goods management will be
strengthened, and a dangerous
goods air transportation safety
management system will be
promoted.
Airport freight security
inspection processes are to be
simplified and optimised. Any
newly-established airport will
be built according to the same
security inspection body and
the same security inspection
modes and standards. Creating
a compliant and trustworthy
operating environment is the
ultimate aim here.
Standards setting and green
developments
This includes the
establishment of aviation
logistics operational standards
and the formulation of basic
data element standards
and exchange standards for
logistics information such as
consignees and consignors.
Unifying technical standards
for barcode management and
The overall goal
is one of updating
the industry by
fully adopting
the electronic air
waybill
Air cargo market trends
China is the world’s largest
market for cross-border
e-commerce, with a middle
income group of more than
400m people. Driven by
e-commerce, Chinese freight
companies are competing
to set up air cargo hubs.
The development of cargo
transportation in central and
western airports is very evident.
The civil aviation sector carried
7.385m tonnes of cargo in
2018, up 4.6% year-on-year.
Because of the change
in household consumption
patterns and the rapid
development of domestic
e-commerce, express parcels
have become an important
part of the domestic air cargo
market. From 2014 to 2018,
the national express delivery
service business volume rose
from 13.96bn pieces to 50.71bn
pieces, with an average annual
growth rate of 52%. In 2019,
the domestic express delivery
business is expected to grow at
least 20%. Thanks to its speed
and high quality, the air cargo
arm has gradually become the
main mode of transportation
for domestic express deliveries.
As the level of aviation activity grows, so
China is improving its airport infrastructure
RFID, together with the promotion of shared freight resources
between airlines, is also envisaged. The promotion of fuel
economy is further anticipated.
Moreover, cargo airlines and aviation logistics enterprises
will be required to actively meet military needs and carry out
military logistics business, as well as improve military logistics
support capabilities and efficiency; in short, the promotion of
integration of military and civilian logistics. Certification of
drones falls under this heading. Multi-modal transportation
will also be fully explored.
Talent protection
The CAAC wishes to intensify personnel training, encourage
scientific research institutions to launch aviation logistics
research and develop industry think tanks within the field of
aviation logistics. There will be support for universities to offer
aviation logistics-related courses. Relevant enterprises and
professional institutions should strengthen aviation logistics
personnel training, develop talent incentive mechanisms, look
after international talent flow and management and accelerate
the formulation of an aeronautical logistics talent system.
Increased policy support
This includes strengthening communication and co-ordination
with the competent departments of Customs and other
industries; establishing a co-ordination and promotion
mechanism; and enhancing co-operation in development
strategies, policy guidance and pilot support. There is a
recognised need to improve the external environment for
aviation logistics development and achieve cross-border and
cross-airway Customs clearance.
Ground handling considerations
To effectively improve the quality and efficiency of ground
services, promoting easy access to those services is deemed
essential. This includes the formulation and improvement of the
airport ground service access regulations and the establishment of
a market competition mechanism for airport ground services.
Further optimisation of the airport freight process will
be achieved by adjusting the layout of existing freight areas,
implementing centralised freight areas, streamlining process links
and exploring the establishment of multi-sector collaborative
operation modes. In combination with the transportation
characteristics of air express, coldchain cargo and fresh aquatic
products, a standardised Green Channel mechanism will be built
to achieve efficient Customs clearance.
At present, the annual value of domestic airport ground
support equipment is put at about CN¥20bn (approximately
US$2.9bn). The CAAC intends to increase the supply of new
technologies and equipment for aviation logistics and cargo
handling, encouraging research into modern smart logistics
technologies such as IoT, AI and robotics, all with a view to
replacing manual labour with automation.
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