The Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport Will Redefine Global Aviation
China is set to make a remarkable addition to its impressive aviation infrastructure with the construction of the world's largest airport on a man-made island. The Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport, currently under development off the northeast coast of China, is poised to become a symbol of the country’s expanding aviation ambitions. Once completed, it will cover a vast 20-square-kilometer (7.7-square-mile) artificial island, housing four runways and a passenger terminal that spans an incredible 900,000 square meters (969,000 square feet).
Ambitious Goals for Passenger Traffic
The Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport is designed with a staggering capacity in mind. The airport’s operators aim to handle up to 80 million passengers annually, along with 540,000 flights. These projections underscore China’s determination to not only strengthen its domestic aviation network but also solidify its position as a global aviation leader. The first phase of this colossal project is scheduled to open in 2035, marking a significant milestone in the country’s ambitious infrastructure development plans.
A Symbol of Engineering Achievement
“The country’s largest offshore airport is rising slowly from the sea level like the sunrise in the east,” the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport’s official WeChat account posted, adding an evocative visual to the ongoing construction. Upon its completion, the airport will surpass both Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Japan’s Kansai Airport (KIX) to become the largest airport built on an artificial island. This achievement will place China at the forefront of global aviation infrastructure.
Overcoming Enormous Construction Challenges
The construction of the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport is not without its challenges. Li Xiang, the chief engineer of the Dalian Airport Construction and Development Co., Ltd., highlighted the complexity of the project in a statement to local state-run media in October. "There have been great challenges to the construction," he said, citing difficult geological conditions, high drilling difficulties, and stringent quality demands, all compounded by a tight construction schedule.
Despite these obstacles, construction continues at a steady pace, with the determination to bring the vision to life. The scale and ambition of this project are expected to set new standards in airport design and construction.
Dalian: A Growing Transport Hub
The city of Dalian, home to a population of 7.5 million, has long served as a key transport hub, strategically located between Japan and South Korea. The region’s significance as an international gateway is further emphasized by the ongoing expansion of the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport.
The existing Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport, which has been operational for nearly a century, has already reached its maximum capacity. In response, the city has been working to address the demand for air travel, with plans to expand the facilities. The construction of the new airport comes after nearly two decades of site selection and preparatory work, with the official commencement of the project only taking place in recent years.
China’s Aviation Growth and the Global Market
The construction of new airports in China reflects the country’s growing aviation market. As the nation’s air travel industry expands rapidly, China is on track to surpass the United States and become the world’s largest air travel market. The development of the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport is a crucial step in supporting this growth.
China’s commitment to improving its aviation infrastructure was also highlighted by the opening of Beijing’s second airport, Daxing (PKX), on October 1, 2019. The event coincided with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, showcasing the country’s ambitious plans.
At the time, Chinese officials announced that the country would need 450 airports by 2035 to accommodate the increasing demand for air travel. The construction of the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport, one of the largest such projects in the world, is a testament to the nation’s preparedness to meet this demand and enhance its global aviation standing.
