China sets ambitious plan for world's biggest offshore airport
Dalian, a major coastal city in northeast China, is embarking on an ambitious project to construct the world's largest airport on an artificial island.

The Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport, currently under construction, will span an impressive 20 square kilometers, featuring four runways and a passenger terminal exceeding 900,000 square meters.
Designed to accommodate a staggering 80 million passengers annually across 540,000 flights, the airport is slated to open in phases, with the initial phase expected to commence operations in 2035.
"The country's largest offshore airport is slowly emerging from the sea, much like the sunrise in the east," the airport proudly announced on the popular Chinese social media platform, WeChat. Upon completion, it will surpass both Hong Kong International Airport and Japan's Kansai Airport, solidifying its position as the world's largest airport on an artificial island.
Li Xiang, chief engineer of Dalian Airport Construction and Development Co., Ltd., acknowledged the significant challenges associated with this monumental undertaking. "The project presents complex geological conditions, demanding high-precision drilling techniques while adhering to stringent quality standards within a tight construction schedule," he stated to local state-run media in October.
Dalian, a bustling metropolis of 7.5 million residents, has long served as a vital transportation hub, particularly due to its strategic proximity to Japan and South Korea. However, the existing Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, despite its nearly century-long operational history, has reached its maximum capacity and has undergone several expansions in recent years to accommodate growing passenger traffic, according to the state-linked newspaper, Yicai.
While the city initiated site selection and preliminary work for the new airport back in 2003, actual construction commenced a few years ago.
The development of new airports is a cornerstone of China's ambitious aviation growth strategy. The country is poised to overtake the United States as the world's largest air travel market. This ambitious project aligns perfectly with this strategic objective.
The inauguration of Beijing Daxing International Airport in 2019, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, showcased China's commitment to expanding its aviation infrastructure. Chinese officials have emphasized the need for 450 airports by 2035 to effectively cater to the burgeoning demand for air travel.