China is constructing the globe's biggest synthetic island for an airport.
Currently under construction off China's northeast coast, the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport is set to cover a 20-square-kilometer (7.7-square-mile) island with four runways and a 900,000-square-meter (969,000 sq ft) passenger terminal, as per an airport announcement.
Its managers aim to process 80 million passengers annually across 540,000 flights, with the initial phase slated to launch in 2035.
"The country's largest offshore airport is gradually emerging from sea level, similar to the sunrise in the east," stated a post by Dalian Jinzhou Bay International on the Chinese social media platform WeChat.
Upon completion, it will establish itself as the world's largest airport situated on an artificial island, surpassing both Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) and Japan's Kansai Airport (KIX).
"The project has faced significant obstacles," Li Xiang, chief engineer of Dalian Airport Construction and Development Co., Ltd., reported to state-owned local media, "due to its intricate geological conditions, high drilling difficulties, and stringent quality requirements within a tight construction timeline."
Dalian, a city with a population of 7.5 million, has consistently served as a transport hub due to its proximity to Japan and South Korea.
Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport, the city's long-operating international airport, has already reached its maximum capacity and undergone numerous expansions recently, according to Yicai, a state-affiliated newspaper.
The city initiated site selection and demonstration work for the new airport in 2003, but construction only picked up pace a few years later, as reported by state-owned local media.
New airports are a crucial component of China's aviation growth. The country is poised to overtake the United States and establish itself as the world's leading air travel market.
Beijing's second airport, Daxing (PKX), was inaugurated with much pomp and ceremony on October 1, 2019, marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
At the time, Chinese authorities expressed the need for 450 airports by 2035 to meet demand.
The news of the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport's progress has sparked interest in global travel circles. Despite challenges due to complex geological conditions and tight construction deadlines, the new airport is expected to revolutionize air travel, potentially attracting a large number of tourists.
