Zhengzhou City is claiming to have ushered in the age of the "air bus" in China after building the nation's first airport terminal specifically designed to accommodate budget airlines.

A view of Zhengzhou Airport [Henan Daily]

"If policymakers allow it in Henan Province, I hope to see air tickets available at a cost of one yuan (US$0.15) in Zhengzhou," Wang Zhenghua, chairman of Spring Airlines, the first national low-cost airline, said.

Wang said Spring Airlines is planning to establish a base in Zhengzhou. "With Zhengzhou Airport as the center, we will have 40 routes within three to five years, and routes from Zhengzhou to Guangzhou or Shenzhen will be operating by the end of this year."

"This is just the beginning," said Wang Airong, vice manager of the Zhengzhou Airport. He said the airport is holding talks with Shenzhen Airlines, Airasia of Malaysia, Tiger Airways of Singapore, Jetstar Airways of Australia and Air Macau, in order to "establish an aviation hub for cheap flights".

Wang explained, "Civil aviation is not well developed in Henan province, although it is a highway and railway transportation hub. Cheap flights offered by Spring Airlines will increase our annual passenger throughput."

The first national "budget terminal" went into operation at Zhengzhou Airport on March 30. Since then, many national airports have announced plans to build "budget terminals". The "Zhengzhou Model" aims to "offer support for the operation of national low-cost airlines".

The new terminal at Zhengzhou Airport [file photo]

"The budget terminal will attract more low-cost airlines to Zhengzhou," said Yue Wenhai, general manager of the airport.

Fan Ming, head of the Economic Research Institute at Henan University of Finance and Economics, also pointed out, "Introducing low-cost airlines into the national aviation market implies a new competitive model in the national civil aviation industry. It not only enriches the national aviation service but also provides more choices for passengers."

"Airlines will have to make efforts to meet consumer demands at all levels. This will promote the development of the whole civil aviation industry," Fan said.

(China.org.cn by Wang Wei September 23, 2008)