XI'AN — China is expected to have more than 1,100 general aviation airports by 2020, up from 239 airports currently in operation, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

Yin Shijun, the chief engineer of the administration, made the remarks at the China International General Aviation Convention (Xi'an Air Show) in the capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province.

He said according to airport construction plans in Chinese provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, a large number of airports will be built next year, rapidly expanding the scale of China's general aviation industry.

Yin said at present, there are 471 general aviation enterprises with 2,604 aircraft in China, flying more than 900,000 hours a year, and more than 300,000 real-name registered unmanned aerial vehicles.

New forms of general aviation are rising, such as general aviation short-haul transportation, medical rescue, air travel, unmanned aerial vehicles and so on, which have significant development potential, he said.

The air show held from Oct 17 to Oct 21 will see flight shows, aircraft exhibitions, aviation equipment exhibition and professional forums.