The number of civil aviation airports in China has steadily increased from 190 in 2013 to 256 in 2023, showing continuous growth. After an initial period of higher year-on-year increases averaging around 5%, there was a notable decline in the growth rate over the years. Specifically, the annual growth rate fell to approximately 1.59% by 2023. Over the last 5 years, the CAGR has averaged around 1.9%, reflecting a deceleration in the expansion of airport infrastructure.
From 2024 onwards, the forecast suggests a continued but modest rise in the number of airports, predicted to reach 268 by 2028. The expected CAGR during this period is only 0.69%, pointing to a significant slowdown in the rate of new airport constructions compared to the past decade.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Technological advancements to optimize current airport capacities.
- Shifting investments towards improving infrastructure rather than expanding the number of airports.
- Increasing demand for regional and low-cost airline services.
- Greater emphasis on sustainability and green airport initiatives.
