China's massive civil aviation fleet is ageing faster than planes are being replaced, threatening to saddle airlines with higher costs, but orders for home-grown C919 jets could help stem the tide, according to the head of north Asia for the International Air Transport Association (Iata).
Current aircraft replacements are failing to reach 2019 levels despite recent orders of Airbus and Boeing jets, Iata regional vice-president Xie Xingquan said at the industry group's annual general meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, responding to an audience question about any lift from those orders.
