Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee will begin a trade mission to China on Monday, with a focus on the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.
Mr Brownlee says the main objective of the visit is to strengthen ties between aviation companies in New Zealand and customers in China.
He says China is planning to build 97 new airports by 2020, furthering its position as the second largest air travel market in the world.
Also on the trip are executives from New Zealand aviation companies and flight schools.