CRI听力：New Viaduct for Civil Aviation in China

From yesterday, the number of domestic flight routes available to commercial aircraft in China has almost doubled. The new rule involve reducing the vertical separation between aircraft flying in different direction and is aimed at, reducing delays due to air traffic control restrictions, increasing transportation volume and saving energy.

CRI reporter Chen Xi has the details.

A brand new aerial "viaduct" was put into operation on Thursday. China's aviation watchdog says domestic flight routes are nearly doubled by way of narrowing vertical distances, which aims to ease air traffic congestion.

As passengers all over the world are constantly tortured by aircraft delays. The International Civil Aviation Organization has started urging countries to make full use of their aerial space.

Deputy Director of the China Air Traffic Management Bureau, Wang Liya, further elaborates upon the design of the new aerial viaduct.

"There were seven layers for aircrafts to fly in China between the heights of 8,400 meters to 12,500 meters. This number has risen to 13 with the shortening to vertical spaces, which I believe will further resolve delay issues resultant from insufficient layers for flight."

He adds that there are nearly 1,100 aircrafts operating in China at present. As the flight vertical distance has been narrowed from 600 meters to 300 meters at high altitude, most planes have been updated with new equipment to fit in with the new air traffic rules, such as two sets of unattached altitude measuring systems, an alert system and an automatic device for maintaining altitude.

An official with the Beijing Air Traffic Management Centre, Wang Jian, says busy world aviation hubs, such as Beijing, are constantly harassed by a large transportation volume.

"At present, under the strain of saturated aircraft routes in China, planes have to wait on the ground for further information to take off, it is estimated that by doubling the routes, the transporting capacity of Beijing Capital International Airport will be greatly enhanced."

Officials say all native pilots have received the necessary training, adjusting to the new aircraft transportation rules.

In addition, flights with access to these more convenient routes of optimized operation will also reduce their fuel consumption and reduce emissions.

Chen Xi, CRI News