The signing ceremony during the 23rd World Route Development Forum [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

The 23rd World Route Development Forum closed on Sept. 24 in Barcelona, with the forum flag passed to Guangzhou, the host city for the forum next year.

Known as the “Olympic” in the civil aviation sector, the World Route Development Forum this year was attended by representatives from over 270 airlines, 600 airports and 80 related institutions worldwide.

The World Route Development Forum will be another major event Guangzhou hosts after Fortune Global Forum.

“We are confident to organize the best World Route Development Forum in Guangzhou,” said Qi Yaoming, news spokesman of Baiyun Airport.

Representatives from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport took the flag from Barcelona, the host of the 23rd World Route Development Forum[Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

Why Guangzhou

Guangzhou has long been the major traffic junction in South China and GD-HK-Macao Bay Area, and owns the natural genes to develop into a transportation hub.

In 2016, Guangzhou announced to develop itself into a hub city in fields of aviation, shipping and technology innovation. Since then, the city has been paying strong efforts to intensify its shipping and aviation network.

As the fundamental element in the hub city blueprint, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has connected Guangzhou with 219 destinations at home and abroad by June 2017, including cities in Asia, Africa, Europe and America.

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The design photo of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport [File photo]

RMB 300 bln to expand in scales and routes

Most recently, Guangzhou released a plan to develop its aviation industry through 80 major projects with an overall investment of 314.5 billion yuan from 2017 to 2019. And one of its key focal points is to expand Baiyun airport.

“The plan will accelerate the construction of its terminal 2 and waiting hall,” said Qiu Jiachen, CEO of Baiyun airport, “and 100 new aircraft parking bays and relative facilities will be built and put into used in 2018.”

After the expansive, Baiyun airport will be able to handle 72 million passengers and 2.3 million tonnes of cargo a year by 2019.