Xi'an, key aviation hub in China

Over 200 enterprises gathered in Xi'an on March 19 for the Xi'an Aviation Industry Promotion Conference to explore opportunities, foster cooperation, and drive the high-quality development of the aviation industry.

As a major aviation hub, Xi'an is rich in technological innovation. It has a solid industrial foundation, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and a strong talent pool. The city is crucial to China's large aircraft supply chain and a key base for aircraft structural production, material development, and final assembly.

It is home to a quarter of China's aviation research institutions and 18 leading national aviation organizations. Over 1,500 supporting enterprises are concentrated in the Xi'an Yanliang National Aviation High-tech Industrial Base (CAIB).

The CAIB has made significant progress in aviation manufacturing, with over 12,000 CNC machines and 1,200 high-end processing units forming a precision engineering hub for aviation-standard parts. More than 30 enterprises specializing in tooling production support the country's advanced aircraft assembly and testing capabilities.

The CAIB has also cultivated a top-tier talent base with over 30,000 aerospace researchers. The Aviation Talent Alliance, established in collaboration with 18 universities, including Northwestern Polytechnical University and Xi'an Jiaotong University, continues to attract and develop high-caliber professionals through expert networks and targeted recruitment programs.

To further support large aircraft development, Xi'an has planned 17 industrial parks and 44 specialized zones to foster the growth of a globally competitive aviation cluster.

Xi'an is committed to enhancing its aviation supply chain, advancing technological research, and elevating industrial capabilities. The city is also exploring emerging sectors, such as the low-altitude economy, to inject new momentum into China's aviation industry.