China's aircraft import value reached US$3.73 billion in the first five months, up 137.9 percent year on year, said sources with the General Administration of Customs (GAC).

A report from the Customs office said China imported 135 aircraft in the first five months, a year-on-year increase of 78.9 percent.

The rapid growth reflects the country's increasing demand for air transportation. Figures show the air passenger and cargo transport volume rose at an annual average rate of 16 percent in the past two decades.

China's air passenger turnover in 2005 reached 284 million passenger-kilometers, up 17.5 percent over 2004, while cargo turnover in 2005 was 6.33 million ton-kilometers, up 14.6 percent over 2004.

China is expected to have 1300 aircraft at the end of this year.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2006)