China to open more airspace to private planes

China will loosen its strict control over low-altitude airspace in 2013 across the country, opening more airspace to private planes, after a two-year pilot reform in several cities, including Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Xi'an, according to media reports.

Flight assistants give hand signals to direct the take-off of a delta-wing-powered glider in Xi'an city, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, on Dec 3, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Once the nationwide reform is implemented, the airspace below 1,000 meters will be divided into restricted area, monitoring area and reporting area. In the monitoring and reporting areas, private aircraft would be allowed to enter after a pre-flight report to administrators, and the restricted area would be open only to qualified private aircraft.

Stimulated by the reform, the number of general-purpose airplanes is expected to soar up to more than 10,000, from the current 1,000, in China, and the market explode to more than $1 trillion.