The North Bund International Aviation Forum 2024, co-hosted by China Eastern Air Holding Company and Shanghai Airport Authority, took place at The Grand Halls in Shanghai on October 22. Themed “Digital Flight, Intelligent Sky – Creating a New Future of Aviation,” the forum attracted over 250 aviation professionals, including representatives from international aviation organizations, executives from leading airlines, Chinese government officials, and industry experts. Participants engaged in meaningful discussions on key topics such as “New Quality Productive Forces of Civil Aviation” and “Digital Transformation,” focusing on strategies to foster innovation through digital advancements.
The forum effectively showcased cutting-edge technology, with highlights including AI-powered real-time translation, AIGC-enhanced video presentations, and a digital reenactment of Marco Polo’s journey on the newly launched flight MU786 from Venice to Shanghai, highlighting the efficiency of air transport and multimodal connections. Additionally, CEAir and Shanghai Airport Authority introduced an aviation-themed cultural product that allows attendees to interact with custom AR-enabled designs via smartphone cameras, illustrating the seamless fusion of digital technology with traditional Chinese culture.
A major highlight of the event was the signing of a Strategic Cooperation Agreement aimed at developing Shanghai as a multifunctional gateway and a comprehensive international aviation hub. This initiative seeks to significantly improve the flow of passengers and cargo through the Shanghai aviation hub. China Eastern, as the launch customer for the domestically manufactured C919 aircraft, also presented its pioneering C919 Large-scale Commercial Operation System Development, setting industry-first operational standards, procedures, and guidelines.
Recently, CEAir launched the “Eastern E-Pass,” allowing passengers to obtain electronic boarding passes through its app or mini-programs on their mobile devices. This service offers a completely paperless travel experience, including self-service features like online customs declarations and entry card completion during the flight.
Notably, foreign travelers eligible for the 24-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit policies can significantly reduce entry processing times with the “Eastern E-Pass,” making travel to China even more convenient. Additionally, CEAir is enhancing its “Air + Cruise” services, exploring multimodal transport options that integrate aviation, helicopters, urban rail, and ferries to capitalize on new opportunities for hub development in the Yangtze River Delta and the global transportation network.