China to Build World’s Largest Airport on Man-Made Island
China is poised to add another impressive feat of engineering to its infrastructure portfolio: the world’s largest airport built on a man-made island, CNN reports.
Currently under construction off the northeast coast in Dalian, the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport will ultimately encompass a sprawling 7.7-square-mile island.
According to a statement released by the airport, the completed facility will boast four runways and a passenger terminal spanning 969,000 square feet. Operators aim for an ambitious annual capacity of 80 million passengers and 540,000 flights, with the first phase slated for completion in 2035.
Upon completion, it will surpass both Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Japan to become the world’s largest airport situated on an artificial island.
Construction, however, has presented significant challenges, as highlighted by Li Xiang, chief engineer of Dalian Airport Construction and Development Co., Ltd., in an October interview with local state-run media. Li cited complex geological conditions, demanding drilling requirements, stringent quality standards, and a tight construction schedule as major hurdles.
The project underscores Dalian’s status as a significant transportation hub, strategically located near Japan and South Korea. The city’s existing international airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport, which has been in operation for nearly a century, has reached its capacity limits, prompting the need for this massive new facility. Although site selection and preliminary work began in 2003, full-scale construction commenced only a few years ago.
The new airport is emblematic of China’s rapid aviation growth. The country is on track to overtake the United States as the world’s largest air travel market. This ambitious project follows the opening of Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) in 2019, a similarly large-scale undertaking. Chinese officials have previously indicated a need for 450 airports by 2035 to meet projected demand.
