China's aviation industry is poised for steady growth in 2025, with projected growth in air cargo, passenger traffic, and industry revenue, according to plans announced at a national civil aviation work conference on Thursday.
According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the country's aviation industry is forecast to achieve a transportation turnover of 161 billion tonne-km, with passenger traffic soaring to 780 million and cargo and mail volume surging to 9.5 million tonnes, which is expected to drive further growth in profitability
The recovery of international flights is also a key focus, with the CAAC aiming to restore international flight capacity to over 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels in 2025.
Key airport projects in cities such as Guangzhou in southern China, Dalian in northeastern China, and regional airports such as Balikun Dahe Airport in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region will advance, with the goal of increasing the total number of transport airports to 270 by the end of the year.
The CAAC will also prioritize optimizing airspace in busy regions such as Wenzhou in eastern China, Wuhan in central China, and Hainan in southern China, to enhance air traffic management.
China's aviation sector set for continued growth in 2025
China's aviation sector set for continued growth in 2025
Uganda on Thursday announced the temporary suspension of flights to and from the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) following an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease that has killed dozens of people.
Diana Atwine, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, said in a statement issued in Kampala that the National Task Force (NTF), chaired by Uganda's Vice President Jessica Alupo, had resolved to suspend all flights between Uganda and the DRC, with the measure taking effect within 48 hours.
The move follows the detection last week of two imported Ebola cases in Kampala, the Ugandan capital.
A 59-year-old Congolese man died from the virus at Kibuli Muslim Hospital in Kampala, while the other patient remains in isolation at Mulago National Referral Hospital. A total of 127 contacts have been identified and are in institutional quarantine.
According to Atwine, the government has also temporarily suspended public passenger ferry services on the Semuliki River, cross-border bus operations and all public passenger transport between Uganda and the DRC for the next four weeks, while allowing the continued movement of goods and food supplies.
According to the ministry, weekly markets in border sub-counties across high-risk districts have also been suspended for four weeks.
The NTF has activated a series of preparedness and response measures, including the suspension of cultural celebrations and commemorative events that draw large crowds along the Uganda-DRC border.
Over the past 24 hours, health authorities in the DRC and the World Health Organization have reported a worsening outbreak across the central African nation, with around 600 suspected cases and 139 probable deaths recorded since the outbreak was officially declared on May 15.
Uganda suspends DRC flights amid efforts to prevent Ebola outbreak spillover
Uganda suspends DRC flights amid efforts to prevent Ebola outbreak spillover