Asia-Pacific is developing fast. The region's economy is set to grow an average of 4.7 percent a year for the next 20 years. This will boost its share of world GDP from 27 percent today to 35 percent by 2030.

Airlines do not plan to miss out. According to Boeing's long‑term market outlook, Asia-Pacific will need 11,450 new aircraft by 2030, to help cope with a predicted 6.7-percent average increase in passenger traffic. Cargo growth will be comparable, equating to more than 350 new freighters plus more than 500 passenger‑to-freighter conversions. It all adds up to a market that will be worth $1.5tr, easily surpassing any other region.

Such breathtaking activity demands an effective infrastructure. The sky these aircraft soar through could be very different from that of today. Although retaining its traditional divisions, the air traffic management will be seamless, affording airline operations far greater efficiency.

The soc-called Seamless Asian Sky concept has been on the drawing board for a couple of years but has already achieved widespread, high-level support.

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