China is building the world’s largest artificial island airport in Dalian, a major city on the country’s northeastern coast. This new airport will be the first one in mainland China to be built on an artificial island in the sea. Once finished, it will surpass both Hong Kong International Airport and Japan’s Kansai International Airport in size.
The Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport is being constructed on an island that covers 20 square kilometers (7.72 square miles). This makes it much larger than Hong Kong International Airport (12.48 sq km) and Kansai International Airport (10.5 sq km), both of which are also located on artificial islands. According to the South China Morning Post, this new airport is a part of China’s plan to boost the economy and improve air travel connections.
The total cost for the construction of the Dalian airport is expected to be around $4.3 billion. The airport is projected to open by 2035. Once completed, the airport will feature four runways and a passenger terminal that spans 900,000 square meters (9.69 million sq ft). In the beginning, it will be able to handle 43 million passengers each year. However, officials expect this number to rise to 80 million passengers annually as the airport grows.
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Dalian International Airport
Dalian, with a population of more than 6 million people, is an important city for business. It is a major hub for industries such as oil refining, shipping, and logistics. Its location near Japan and South Korea has helped it grow into a key economic center. With the new airport, Dalian is set to become an even more important transportation hub in the region. The airport will help improve connections to other parts of China and the world.
Apart from handling passengers, the Dalian airport will have a large cargo capacity. It is expected to manage up to one million tonnes of cargo every year. In August, significant progress was made on the construction project, with the completion of the deep foundation treatment for a 77,000-square-meter reclaimed area. This is an important step because it prepares the ground for building the airport, especially in areas with soft or unstable soil.
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Dalian’s current airport, the Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport, has reached its maximum capacity. It was built during the Japanese occupation nearly 100 years ago and has been expanded several times. In 2023, it handled about 658,000 international passengers. However, its location inside a valley surrounded by mountains makes it difficult for pilots to navigate, especially in bad weather. The new airport will solve these problems and improve safety by providing a better location for air traffic.
Despite the many benefits of the new airport, there are also some risks. Since the airport is being built on an artificial island, it could be vulnerable to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and typhoons. Experts also warn that the airport is connected to the mainland by a single bridge, which could be damaged by disasters or accidents, such as ship collisions. If this happens, it could cause delays and disruptions to airport operations.
As of July 2024, China is building 22 new airports with a total investment of $19.6 billion, according to the CAPA-Centre for Aviation. This is part of China’s plan to become the largest air travel market in the world, surpassing the United States. The new Dalian airport will be an important part of this plan and is expected to have a big impact on the city’s economy. The airport will also help China continue to grow its global presence in aviation.
