China’s Dalian Jinzhou Bay Airport: The World’s Largest Artificial Island Airport

China is embarking on an ambitious project to build the world’s largest airport on a man-made island. The Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport, under construction off the northeast coast of China, is set to surpass both Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Japan’s Kansai Airport (KIX) once completed.

Covering an area of 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles), this colossal airport will feature four runways and a passenger terminal spanning 900,000 square meters (969,000 square feet). It is designed to accommodate 80 million passengers annually and handle 540,000 flights per year. The first phase of the airport is expected to open in 2035.

Construction of the airport has faced numerous challenges, including complex geological conditions and high drilling demands. However, these hurdles have not slowed down progress, as the engineers behind the project push forward with the aim of creating a state-of-the-art hub for air travel.

Dalian, a major transportation hub with a population of 7.5 million, has long been a critical gateway for travel between China, Japan, and South Korea. Its current airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport, has exceeded its capacity and has undergone several expansions in recent years. The new Jinzhou Bay airport will relieve pressure on the city’s aging airport and meet the growing demand for air travel in the region.

As China’s aviation industry continues to grow, with the country expected to surpass the United States as the largest air travel market by 2035, the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport is poised to become a key component in the nation’s transportation infrastructure.

The project is part of China’s broader strategy to build 450 airports by 2035 to meet surging demand, following the success of Beijing’s Daxing Airport, which opened in 2019.

About The Author

Editor

See author's posts