On March 4th, according to domestic media reports, National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) member and Chairman of Spring Airlines, Wang Yu, focused his proposals for this year's sessions of the two conferences on issues related to passenger travel and the development of the aviation industry.
Wang Yu pointed out that the issue of "two distances" at airports has been affecting the travel experience of passengers. One is the long distance to boarding gates, requiring passengers to walk a considerable distance to reach them. The other is the distant location of airports, with many being situated 50 to 60 kilometers away from city centers.
Addressing the problem of distant boarding gates, Wang Yu emphasized that the enlargement of terminal buildings results in excessive walking distances for passengers, coupled with high construction costs and operational energy consumption.
Therefore, he suggested constructing terminal buildings of moderate scale and resource-efficient design based on market demand and airport positioning. This approach aims to provide passengers with a more convenient airport experience while avoiding the need for extensive walking.
Even for large hub airports, the "one airport with multiple terminals" model should be adopted whenever possible. This involves constructing several terminals of moderate scale, replacing the large, challenging single-terminal structures. This not only facilitates passenger convenience but also reduces costs, energy consumption, and emissions.
In addressing the issue of airports being far from city centers, Wang Yu recommended avoiding "greed for size" in airport development and ensuring alignment with planning and demand.
Furthermore, airport locations should be close to economic centers to enhance travel efficiency. Ground transportation should integrate seamlessly with city public transit, enhancing the convenience of airport travel and the efficiency of public transportation, thereby reducing passenger travel time and fatigue.
In cases where a city anticipates significant future demand for air travel, adopting a "one city, multiple airports" model is suggested. This involves considering airspace and ground transportation capacity and efficiency, strategically planning and constructing two or more moderately-sized airports near the city to alleviate operational and logistical pressures.
