ROUTES ASIA: Chengdu – The Gateway to Western China

The host for this year’s Routes Asia is Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CDIA). CDIA is currently the largest air traffic hub and cargo distribution centre in the central-western region of China with 122 domestic routes and a further 51 international (regional) it is ranked 51st in the world and 6th in China.

One of the prides of Chengdu City is the new Passenger Terminal 2 (T2), a project which could more than double the annual passenger throughput and confirm CDIA’s standing as the gateway to Western China. T2 has the capacity to handle 32 million passengers per year in addition to the almost 26 million passengers currently welcomed through Terminal 1.

Chengdu is the provincial capital of the Sichuan province with a history stretching back some 2,000 years. The city has become a major tourist destination which promotes some famous attractions, perhaps the most well known being the Panda Research Centre for which it has become internationally renowned, and has been crowned The Best Tourism City of China.

Chengdu is also the centre of finance, commerce, transportation, communication and science and technology in the central western part of China and has a population of over 13 million people who will benefit greatly from this airport expansion.

Hosting Routes Asia 2012 in Chengdu is a great opportunity for the airport to showcase their new developments, the city and the region to the international community. Speaking at the time the event was officially launched late last year Xiaojun Pan, President of Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and General Manager of Sichuan Province Airport Group explained: “By hosting this event, we hope to attract friends and partners from all over Asia and world to discuss and exchange ideas about ways to improve global airport services."

"I believe that Chengdu, as one of the most beautiful cities in China, will be a big surprise to all delegates, who will enjoy the beautiful scenery, the legacy of a brilliant culture and history, and will experience the charm of a booming city that, in the next 10 years, will be among the fastest developing cities globally,” he added.

Richard Maslen

Richard Maslen has travelled across the globe to report on developments in the aviation sector as airlines and airports have continued to evolve and…