View

Private planes may fly high

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-15 13:14

Earlier this year, civil aviation authorities discovered several flights were being operated illegally in Zhejiang province. Since China is preparing to open its low-altitude airspace in a few restricted zones on a trial basis, it should implement strict supervision measures on the use of private planes, says an article in China Youth Daily. Excerpts:

Despite spending huge amounts of money to buy and maintain private planes, rich people in China can rarely fly in them because of the strict requirements.

But the private plane sector is set to take off now that the government plans to open some low-altitude airspace on a trial basis. In fact, industry insiders predict a fast growth for the sector because of the high number of billionaires and multi-millionaires in the country.

The growth of the private plane sector can benefit the country in several ways. It will foster the development of related industries, such as manufacturing, sales, maintenance and training, and create many jobs.

Besides, the government can impose special taxes on the sector as it flourishes. The sector can help boost the country's GDP and upgrade the aviation system, too.

But the government has to solve the many problems associated with the sector. For instance, the existing procedures for registering private planes are very complicated because of which many private planes operate illegally. To make things worse, the fines imposed on people and organizations operating illegal flights are not high. This makes it easier for the super-rich to fly in their private planes illegally and then pay a fine rather than wait for the approval from the authorities.

On one hand, the authorities have to ease some of the requirements. On the other, they have to tighten supervision on the use of private planes to ensure a smooth development of the sector.