Guangdong Airport Authority

The Chinese carrier plans to start six new services over the coming weeks as international capacity from mainland China continues to creep higher.

With passenger service to Chengdu still suspended, Guangzhou will become the Abu Dhabi-based carrier’s third destination in China once flights begin in October.

Eight of the top 10 busiest airports in the world in 2021 were in the US, data published by ACI World has found, with Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson retaking top spot.

ATL is one of the eight US airports that feature in the list of the globe's top 10 busiest airports.

The carrier, currently only a regional operator, will use the Airbus A330-800 to launch intercontinental routes.

As airlines and airports around the world recover from the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Routes' latest infographic looks at the current state of the global aviation market.

As airlines and airports around the world recover from the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Routes' latest infographic looks at the current state of the global aviation market.

The airport aims to be able to handle 140 million passengers annually by 2040.

Revisit the news, interviews and images from the 24th World Route Development Forum, which took place in Guangzhou.

Chen Zhiying, executive vice mayor of Guangzhou, has stressed that World Routes 2018 will help to "enhance Guangzhou's image on the global stage".

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has experienced strong domestic and international growth over the past decade - and it is hoped that World Routes 2018 will help to fuel even stronger expansion.

Our top five stories this week: Air France-KLM and Air Europa set for joint venture; Guangzhou outlines its international ambitions; United Airlines focuses on domestic expansion; Route rundown; Tewolde GebreMariam podcast and more.

Ahead of World Routes 2018 in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, Routesonline caught up with the Guangdong Airport Authority to find out why it is hosting the event and its wider route development ambitions.

Hainan Airlines looks set to increase the number of services it operates to the UK and Ireland following a series of new route applications.

The annual World Routes forum was officially handed over to next year’s host city, Guangzhou, at a ceremony in Barcelona this evening (26 September).

Under the new Air Service Agreement passenger flights can now increase from the current maximum of 40 per week for each nation to up to 100. There will be no limit on the number of all-cargo services, creating new opportunities for trade and businesses. A restriction on the number of destinations that airlines can serve has also been lifted, meaning services can be operated between any point in the UK and any point in China. Up until now, airlines could only serve six destinations in each country.

Baiyun International is an example of not just the rapid rise of the aviation sector in China, but also the growth strategy of airport operator Guangdong Airport Authority to develop the facility as a major hub and support the growth of anchor tenant China Southern Airlines to introduce new markets. In 2000 the airport was handing just over 12 million annual passengers – in the subsequent 15 years it has quadrupled and added a further 43 million annual passengers.

Guangzhou, the third largest city in China and capital of Guangdong Province, has won a highly competitive bid to host the World Routes air service development forum in 2018.

The third biggest city in China, Guangzhou, will host World Routes 2018. The prestigious event returning to another Chinese city highlights the importance of this emerging market for aviation and follows its successful hosting in Beijing in 2009 and this year's event in Chengdu later this year.