New air corridor linking Shanghai, Kunming to greatly boost regional connectivity

A new air corridor linking Shanghai and Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, will commence operations on Thursday, aimed at reducing congestion for east-west flights and enhancing connectivity with some Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar and Laos.

The Shanghai-Kunming air corridor, is able to handle more than 1,400 flights every day and covers seven major airports in six cities, China Media Group reported.

Experts attributed the demand for the route to rising economic, trade, development and personnel exchanges, which will allow efficient connection not only between the country's eastern and western regions, but also with neighboring countries, further promoting high-level opening-up.

The vital route in China's extensive transportation network has been upgraded from a "single-lane" to a "dual-lane" system for one-way traffic, improving air traffic efficiency and safety, according to media reports. 

The expanded corridor now includes two parallel routes, offering enhanced connectivity between Shanghai's air terminals and the western regions.

Under the plan, a total of 13 new flight routes will be established, while nine existing routes will be adjusted. This initiative will benefit over 1,400 flights per day, accounting for 8 percent of the country's total flight volume, according to Zhang Junjie, an official from Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

An enhanced air route network is anticipated, aligning with the rapid growth of the country's civil aviation market, said the official, suggesting that the average daily passenger flight volume has increased from 10,360 flights in 2013 to 19,000 flights in summer this year.

"The route network is expected to meet growing aviation transportation demand over the next five years and can be adjusted as needed, benefiting over 80 percent of travelers nationwide," said Yan Xiaodong, deputy director of the air traffic management division of the CAAC.

Previously, China has established and activated seven air corridors nationwide, effectively reducing airspace congestion caused by the rapid increase in flight volume. 

The 8th air corridor, linking Shanghai and Kunming, will significantly enhance the capacity of the main air route network, supporting the rapid industrial growth and providing strong backing for local economic development, Lin Zhijie, an independent market analyst, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Yunnan province has been strengthening infrastructure connectivity with South and Southeast Asian countries for years, represented by the China-Laos Railway, experts said, adding that such developments are crucial for driving industrial upgrades and stimulating economic growth in the region. 

The enhanced connectivity has facilitated the flow of people and goods, bolstered regional economic ties, and played a key role in promoting shared development, Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.