China is poised to become the world's largest air travel market, surpassing the United States in the coming years. To meet the soaring demand, the country plans to construct 450 new airports by 2035. Among these ambitious projects is the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport, which will be the largest airport on a man-made island globally.
Located off the northeast coast of China, the new airport will cover an expansive area of 20 square kilometers (7.7 square miles). It will feature four runways and a staggering 900,000-square-meter (approximately 969,000 square feet) passenger terminal. The airport aims to accommodate 80 million passengers annually and manage around 540,000 flights each year.
The Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport's first phase is scheduled to open in 2035, coinciding with the increasing air travel demands of the region. Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport, the city's existing international airport, has already reached its maximum capacity after nearly a century of operation. With a local population of 7.5 million people, Dalian serves as a critical transport hub due to its strategic proximity to Japan and South Korea.
However, the construction of this monumental project has not come without challenges. The complex geological conditions and tight construction schedule have posed significant hurdles for engineers and builders.
“The country’s largest offshore airport is rising slowly from the sea level like the sunrise in the east,” stated a representative from Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport.
Li Xiang, chief engineer of Dalian Airport Construction and Development Co., Ltd., highlighted the difficulties faced during construction: “As the project has complex geological conditions, high drilling difficulty, and high demand in quality with a tight construction schedule.”
As China continues to invest in its aviation infrastructure, the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport will play a critical role in supporting the nation's growing air travel needs. The project reflects China's commitment to enhancing its connectivity and promoting economic growth through improved transportation networks.
