Several recent and upcoming airport developments in the Asia-Pacific region are set to enhance freight capacities for exporters. It is perhaps not surprising that some of the most expensive and important developments are happening in China nor can they be accused of lacking ambition.
Never a nation known for having small infrastructure ambitions, China is going offshore for one of the most important airport projects this century. Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport is a multi-billion dollar project to construct the world’s largest artificial island airport. The airport is slated for completion by 2035. It will span 20 sq km/4,942 acres, featuring four runways and a terminal covering 900,000 sq m. It is designed to handle one million tonnes of cargo annually.
The international airport is being built to serve the city of Dalian in Northeast China’s Liaoning province. Once open, it will replace the existing Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport as the city’s main airport.
The existing airport has been used for both military and commercial flights since 1924 when Dalian was part of Japan’s leased territory. Due to Dalian’s rapid expansion, the airport is now surrounded by built-up urban area and has no more room to grow. As a result, the authorities launched the Jinzhouwan Airport project, which was included in the 12th national five-year plan in 2011.
The airport project was officially announced in 2012, but construction had already begun in April 2011. It is being built on reclaimed land in Jinzhou Bay off the coast of Dalian, and is set to become the world’s largest offshore airport.
The airport is being built in two stages and is designed to handle 650,000 tonnes of cargo per year. Two more runways will be built in the second phase (class 4F), and once completed the airport will have the capacity to handle one million tonnes of cargo each year.
G-Day, capacity upgrade
Set to open in 2026, a $5.3 billion project in South East Australia is expected to enhance Sydney’s air cargo capacity by 33%. Major airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Qantas, and Jetstar, have committed to using the airport, promising advancements for cargo operations.
Construction of Western Sydney International Nancy-Bird Walton Airport (WSI), which includes a 3.7 km runway is underway and on track to begin operations in 2026. The airport is a transformational infrastructure project that will generate economic activity, provide employment opportunities closer to home for people in the Western Sydney region, and meet Sydney’s growing aviation needs.
The Australian Government is investing in WSI and has established a Commonwealth company, the Western Sydney Airport Corporation (WSA Co), to deliver the airport by 2026. The airport will be a full-service airport operating curfew free to deliver international, domestic and freight services.
Nancy-Bird Walton (1915–2009) was a pioneering Australian aviator and one of the most celebrated figures in the history of aviation in Australia. She earned her place in history as the first Australian woman to earn a commercial pilot’s license, and she played a significant role in advancing opportunities for women in aviation.
Sense of place
Techo Takhmao International Airport, Cambodia: Located near Phnom Penh, this $1.5 billion airport aims to transform Cambodia’s connectivity. The first phase will accommodate 13 million passengers, expanding to 50 million by 2050. While specific freight capacities are not detailed, the development is expected to boost tourism and trade.
British architect Foster + Partners has designed the new location, saying the airport “offers a new vision for Cambodia’s capital. The design embodies a strong sense of place, drawing inspiration from one of the oldest civilisations on earth, inspired by its vernacular forms, and responsive to the tropical climate.”
On stream
Haikou Meilan International Airport, China, has finally come completely on stream with the full opening of the second phase of its expansion in 2023. The second phase expansion, completed in December 2021, included a new 3,600 m x 60 m runway suitable for A380 aircraft and a new terminal, significantly increasing cargo capacities. The international section of the new terminal opened in February 2023.
The new terminal opened on 2 December 2021. Flights HU7181 to Beijing and CZ6444 to Shenzhen took off simultaneously to mark the occasion. The international section of the new terminal opened on 7 February 2023, replacing the original international terminal to the east of terminal 1.
Raft of regional airport openings
While Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport may be eyeing seven figure cargo tonnages, there are many more modest Chinese regional airports that have much smaller cargo ambitions and capabilities. A range of them opened as recently as 2021 as the country powers its eye-watering infrastructure spending.
On the way to six figures
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport was designed to handle significant cargo volumes, complementing the existing Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. The airport’s aim was to establish Chengdu as a major logistics hub in western China, facilitating domestic and international freight services.
The airport commenced operations in June 2021. As of 2023, the airport processed approximately 245,897 tonnes of cargo. The airport’s current infrastructure supports an annual capacity of up to 1.3 million tonnes of cargo and mail. Future expansion plans aim to increase this capacity to 2.8 million tonnes annually.
Upward trend
Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport replaced the former Qingdao Liuting Airport and features advanced cargo facilities to support increased freight capacity, serving as a critical node for cargo distribution in eastern China. The airport has experienced significant growth in cargo throughput. In the first nine months of 2024, the airport handled nearly 206,700 tonnes of cargo and mail, marking a 10.5% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
This upward trend underscores the airport’s expanding role in facilitating air freight within the region, say managers.
Developing its operations
Serving the city of Heze in Shandong province, Heze Mudan Airport enhances cargo connectivity for local industries, supporting economic activities and facilitating efficient goods transportation. Heze Mudan Airport, which began operations in April 2021, is designed to handle an annual cargo and mail throughput of 6,500 tonnes by 2030. In its inaugural year, 2021, the airport processed approximately 25.5 tonnes of cargo. As the airport continues to develop its operations, it is expected to progressively increase its cargo handling capacity to meet its design goals.
Upward trend
Located in Anhui province, Wuhu Xuanzhou Airport bolsters regional cargo capabilities, supporting local manufacturing and trade sectors with improved logistics solutions. It commenced operations on April 30, 2021 and demonstrated significant growth in its cargo handling capabilities. In 2022, the airport processed approximately 5,029.61 tonnes of cargo and mail.
This figure saw a substantial increase in 2023, with the airport handling over 20,000 tonnes of cargo and mail. This upward trend underscores the airport’s expanding role in regional logistics and transportation.
Growing role
Serving Hubei province, Jingzhou Shashi Airport enhances cargo operations by providing efficient transport options for regional products, thereby supporting local economic development. The airport located in Hubei province, commenced operations on January 30, 2021. In 2023, the airport handled approximately 812.1 tonnes of cargo. During the summer transport season of 2024, the airport reported a cargo and mail throughput of 1,200 tonnes. These figures show a growing role for Jingzhou Shashi Airport in regional cargo transportation.
