When small means BIG in China

In recent times, China's aviation policy has shifted its focus away from bigger aircraft, key air routes and major airports, a feature that particularly characterized the eastern side - and Canada's Bombardier Commercial Aircraft is all excited.

The Montreal-headquartered small aircraft manufacturer foresees big opportunities in the shift. "The new aviation policy has helped shift the focus to smaller aircraft, startup carriers and new regional airports. Given our cost-efficient regional aircraft, the new policy provides us significant opportunities to grow," said Colin Bole, senior vice-president, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, at Bombardier Inc.

Currently, Bombardier has about 150 aircraft in operation in China. That's a fraction of its more than 10,000 aircraft in operation globally.