USTDA Launches Tenth Phase of U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program

(USTDA) Builds upon Strong History of Support for U.S. Companies in Chinese Aviation Market

BEIJING, CHINA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) signed a series of grants to inaugurate the tenth phase of the U.S.-China Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP). USTDA is funding the next phases of the Executive Management Development and the Air Traffic Management Executive training programs, which together have trained almost four hundred Chinese aviation leaders. USTDA also committed support for a technical assistance program that will help reduce flight delays at two of China's largest airports, as well as a project that will assist CAAC in developing several key general aviation subsectors.

The expansion of the Chinese aviation market, which is forecasted to experience a seven percent growth rate over the next twenty years1 to meet increasing air passenger and cargo transportation needs, represents significant opportunities for the U.S. aviation industry. The ACP, which USTDA launched in 2004, helps connect U.S. aviation companies to those opportunities by promoting commercial, policy and technical cooperation between the U.S. and Chinese aviation sectors. Endorsed by CAAC and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, the ACP supports the implementation of modern aviation systems that will improve safety and increase capacity for airlines, airports and airspace in China. ACP programs have been credited with helping generate over $6.1 billion in exports of U.S. goods and services, as well as supporting the growth of the Chinese aviation infrastructure.

"USTDA is proud of its track record of connecting the U.S. aviation industry to China's rapidly expanding market," Director Leocadia I. Zak said during the grant signing ceremony. "We all stand to benefit from a strong, growing aviation industry."

USTDA Director Zak and CAAC Deputy Administrator Wang Zhiqing signed the grant agreement today at CAAC's headquarters in Beijing. The signing was witnessed by the ACP's Co-Chairs, Chris Collins from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, and Marc Allen, President of Boeing China.