Powered parachutes perform at the World Fly-in Expo (WFE) in Wuhan. [Photo by Li Chenxi/chinadaily.com.cn]
The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) is joining hands with Wuhan to promote aviation sports and related industries.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between FAI, the China Air Transport Association (CATA) and the Wuhan municipal government during a summit held at the World Fly-in Expo (WFE) in Wuhan.
According to the MoU, Wuhan will become a regular site for holding international aviation events.
FAI and CATA intend to develop national-leading platforms for general aviation facilities in terms of research and development, trade, logistic and aviation sports.
The Wuhan economic and Technological Development Zone (Hannan) will be designated as a regular site for international aviation events. FAI and CATA will support the application and coordination of such events in Hannan.
The two organizations will also support Wuhan's application to host the general assembly of FAI, according to the MoU.
Frits Brink，President of FAI, said the organization will develop more frequent connections with China.
He said that John Delaney, the former FAI president, mentioned during a visit to Wuhan that the city is suitable and promising for developing aviation sports. As Wuhan also has a good foundation in the aviation industry, the FAI intends to associate the WFE with the city to increase the FAI’s involvement in China’s aviation sport industry as well as bring more young people to the sport.
President Brink revealed that the FAI will hold the World Aviation Games, and that Wuhan, Rio de Janeiro and other cities are considering applying. He said that Wuhan has the passion to host the games, and its chances of being chosen are good.
The aviation leisure industry is expected to reach 200 billion yuan ($30.2 billion) by 2020. Wuhan is building itself into the largest hub for general aviation and largest base for aircraft research and development and aviation sports in central China.
Jia Bing, deputy head of the Aviation Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, said that the city should encourage more public participation in aviation sports, which will in turn boost the aviation industry.
Leaders and aviation industry insiders from Brazil, South Africa, Vietnam, United States, Singapore, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan and South Korea attended the summit.
Aircraft fly in formation at the WFE held in Wuhan, Hubei province. [Photo by Wang Siyi/chinadaily.com.cn]
Aircraft perform during the opening ceremony of the WFE held in Wuhan on Nov 4. [Photo by Wang Siyi/chinadaily.com.cn]
