China is making strides in infrastructure development with an ambitious project to build the world’s largest artificial-island airport in Dalian, a port city located in the northeastern Liaoning province. The Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport, a cutting-edge project that highlights China’s engineering capabilities, will be constructed entirely on reclaimed land in the sea and is set to be completed by 2035. The total cost of this groundbreaking endeavor is estimated at $4.3 billion.
Currently, Dalian’s existing airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, has reached its maximum capacity and is unable to meet the growing demand for air travel. The new airport will address these space constraints, with a planned capacity of 43 million passengers annually, eventually expanding to handle 80 million passengers and 1 million tonnes of cargo each year.
The Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport will span an area of 20.9 square kilometers, making it the largest artificial-island airport in the world, surpassing other similar projects like Hong Kong International Airport (12.48 square kilometers) and Kansai Airport in Japan (10.5 square kilometers). Once completed, it will feature four runways and a sprawling terminal that covers 900,000 square meters, or approximately 9.69 million square feet.
Strategically located near Japan and South Korea, Dalian is an important hub for international trade, oil refineries, shipping, and coastal tourism. With a population of over 6 million people, the city has become a major player in global commerce, and the new airport will further cement its position as an economic and transportation center.
The construction process involves sophisticated land reclamation techniques, with millions of cubic meters of sand and rock being used to form the artificial island. As of August, foundation work for the reclamation area has been completed, and the project is now moving forward with additional work on the terminal foundation.
The current Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport, which dates back nearly a century to the time of Japanese occupation, has undergone numerous expansions over the years but has now reached its limit. In 2023, the airport handled over 650,000 international passengers, but its aging infrastructure is no longer able to accommodate the city’s growing air travel needs.
Once finished, the Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport will be a major boost to the region’s economy, tourism, and connectivity, supporting both international travel and domestic trade.
Sources By Agencies
