ABSTRACT
In the past decade, high-speed rail (HSR) has emerged as a significant transport mode in China, posing a serious threat to China's air transport sector because of its potential to reduce air travel demand. According to the updated 'Medium-to-Long-Term Railway Network Plan' report covering the period 2016-2025 with an outlook to 2030, China's HSR network will by 2025 stretch to 38,000 km, including eight north-south and eight east-west trunk lines. China's liberalisation efforts were recognised by IATA, which appreciated China's commitment to progressively liberalising the aviation market and the work to harmonise the air traffic control with global standards. Infrastructure including airports, highways, and railways has received magnificent amount of investment in China since 1978. The concept of connectivity in air transport was first introduced to evaluate the importance of an airport in terms of its connection to other airports.
