Air Macau will increase the frequency of its flights to Osaka and Bangkok starting from 29^th March. The Macau-Osaka route will provide a daily flight, compared to the current four weekly flights, while for Bangkok the Macau flag carrier will add one daily connection for a total of three. The flights expansion is part of the airline’s strategy to expand the city’s market of international visitors. In addition, Air China will operate the Macau-Beijing route from 5^th March, while China Southern Airlines plans to open the Macau-Wuhan route by the end of March.

Looking further ahead, Macau International Airport operator CAM will nurture the airport’s compliance with the strategy of ‘growth-oriented innovation and market expansion’. Since the price of international oil has decreased, the global economy has favoured the development of air logistics. Thus, CAM forecasts a revised target of 29,343 tonnes of cargo in 2015, a 2 per cent increase compared to 2014. Although Macau will continue to be affected by external economic impacts such as the new visa measures introduced by mainland China and limited long-haul aircraft development, MIA will continue to integrate the resources of the passenger transportation market, attract new airlines, add flight frequencies and take advantage of Air Freedom rights.

CAM estimates a 3 per cent increase in passenger volume for 2015 to 5.65 million, in addition to 54,500 flight movements, a 4 per cent increase compared to last year. CAM will also organize the ACI Asia-Pacific Small and Emerging Airports Seminar in the second half of the year, which is expected to substantially broaden MIA’s field of vision. The global forecast for the general aviation market is optimistic, presenting opportunities for the local market, which CAM proposes to capitalize on with a new target of 2,958 business jets movements, a 6 per cent increase compared to 2014.

In response to aviation development in the region, MIA is boosting the passenger service experience via initiatives such as completion of the new Business Aviation Hangar, Passenger Terminal Building North Side Extension Project, runway repaving, south apron optimization, and baggage handling system upgrades in the Arrivals Hall.

Now in its 20^th anniversary of operations, CAM will host a series of celebratory activities in recognition of the ongoing support by various industry entities.