China to implement RVSM

China is planning to implement reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) on August 30 this year to increase air traffic in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Air Traffic Management Bureau of the Civil Aviation Administration of China has done the preparatory work on RVSM implementation for a year, and Minister Yang Yuanyuan of CAAC believes that ATMB can implement it on schedule. Under the RVSM principle, the vertical separation between aircraft flying between 29,000 and 41,000 ft will be reduced from 2,000 to 1,000 ft to allow more aircraft to use the airspace. On the Olympic Games airspace service work, Yang says adjustments should be made on Beijing’s flight area and optimization of ground and approach procedure. Air routes will be adjusted for departing planes. Air traffic in China will increase by 50 percent by 2008, according to the International Air Transport Association.