North China's Shanxi province is experiencing a period of growth in its air transport industry this year, with an expansion of flight routes and steady flight resumption.

Shanxi airports operate 235 domestic routes that reach 87 cities and nine international and regional routes that serve eight cities.

As of July, the province's airports handled 98,900 takeoffs and landings, an increase of 5.57 percent from last year and 99.8 percent of the level in 2019. Passenger throughput reached 12.17 million, a 17.45-percent increase from last year and exceeding 2019 by 3.4 percent.

The Shanxi Aviation Industry Group has prioritized the low-altitude economy and the new energy industry as drivers for developing new quality productive forces. The group launched 13 new scientific and technological innovation projects this year, with an expected annual R&D investment of around 21 million yuan ($2.94 million).

The group is actively expanding domestic short-haul routes and focusing on short-distance transportation, optimizing the network to connect various cities within Shanxi and neighboring provinces.

Regarding general aviation business expansion, the group has actively participated in provincial aerial emergency rescue, contributing to firefighting operations in Ningwu, Shouyang, Anze, and other areas. This year, there have been 482 emergency rescue flights, totaling 634 working hours.

"Moving forward, Shanxi Aviation Industry Group will accelerate the cultivation of strategic emerging industries and new quality productive forces, striving to bolster and expand Shanxi's aviation industry," said Chen Yang, chairman of Shanxi Aviation Industry Group.