Khaizuran RashidIf you thought airports couldn’t get any bigger, think again! China is set to break records with the upcoming Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport, which will soon claim the title of the world’s largest artificial island airport. It’s no doubt that this airport will be a major hub in Asia and a marvel of engineering!
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The Scale of the Project
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When it’s completed, Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport will span a staggering 20 square kilometres. That’s over 1.5 times the size of Hong Kong International Airport, the current largest artificial island airport! But it doesn’t stop there. This new airport will also feature four runways and a massive 900,000 square-metre passenger terminal. Talk about scaling up!
Designed to Handle High Traffic
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So, why is China building such a massive airport? The reason is simple – Dalian’s current airport, the Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, is running out of space. Constructed nearly a century ago, the airport expanded multiple times but has now reached full capacity. As a result, the new Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport is designed to help meet the growing demand for air travel in this busy port city.
The airport matches its scale with ambitious capacity, handling 80 million passengers annually and supporting up to 540,000 flights. It will open in phases, completing the first phase by 2035.
Why Dalian? A Key Location for China’s Aviation Future
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Dalian, located in the Liaoning Province, is a vital port city that has long been a gateway to China’s northeast. Its proximity makes it a key destination for travellers to Japan, South Korea, and beyond. As China’s aviation industry continues to boom, the airport will become an essential part of the region’s infrastructure.
It’s also worth noting that China’s aviation market is predicted to surpass the United States of America as the world’s largest air travel market in the coming years. To keep up with the demand, the country will need to build an estimated 450 airports by 2035. The Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport is just the first step in what will likely be a major transformation of China’s air travel landscape.
What This Means for Travellers
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For anyone planning to travel to or from China in the future, this new airport will be a game-changer. Once it’s complete, the airport will offer more capacity and advanced facilities for smoother travel.
The airport will support Dalian’s existing international routes and open up new opportunities for travellers heading to and from northern China. If you’re a fan of exploring Asia’s rapidly growing destinations, Dalian will likely be a city to watch as it grows in prominence, and the new airport will make it easier than ever to reach.
Looking to the Future
While the airport’s first phase won’t be ready until 2035, the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport is set to become one of the largest and most significant aviation hubs in the world.
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With China’s aviation market continuing to expand at a rapid pace, this new development is just one piece of a larger puzzle that will shape the future of air travel in Asia and beyond.
Facebook featured image credits (L-R): Temptation115 via Wikimedia Commons; Weibo | Official Website
