Discussions about megastructures have recently centered on ambitious plans from countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. These nations are developing colossal projects, such as The Line, and even aim to surpass New York City as the hub of skyscrapers. However, China, which continues to undertake monumental projects, also needs to be part of this conversation.
China is constructing the new Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport, which will become the world’s largest artificial-island airport.
A century of history. Dalian is one of China’s main cities, strategically located due to its industries and, importantly, its port. This positioning has made it a crucial point for product distribution. The existing Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport has also contributed to this. However, it’s been operational for nearly a century, and the city now needs new solutions.
An offshore airport. The solution on the horizon is the Dalian Jinzhouwan Airport, which will be constructed on an artificial island. This will be the first airport of its kind in China and the largest offshore airport globally. Although construction began in 2011, the project was officially announced in 2012 and faced challenges from the outset.
One significant issue has been the estimated budget, which was around $4.3 million a decade ago. Additionally, while construction started in 2011, reports from Chinese media in 2014 indicated that governmental approvals required for the project were still pending.
A colossal construction. The scale of this undertaking is astounding. The airport will be accommodated in a 7-square-mile area, which will be utilized for terminals, runways, and service buildings. Once completed, it’ll be nearly twice as large as Hong Kong International Airport and double the size of Japan’s Kansai International Airport. Both of them are also constructed on artificial islands.
The terminal will be 9.7 million square feet, and, according to the South China Morning Post, it’s projected to handle 43 million passengers annually in its initial phase. This is more than double the capacity of the current Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport. Some estimates suggest that it could eventually accommodate between 70 and 80 million passengers each year.
Goals. The new airport won’t only accommodate passengers but also handle cargo. The estimated capacity is one million tons of cargo per year once the final phase of construction is completed.
The project is divided into two key phases:
- 2030: By 2030, the airport will have a 6-million-square-foot terminal with two parallel runways measuring 11,800 feet and 11,150 feet. It’ll also have 198 aircraft positions and the capacity for 330,000 takeoffs and landings annually.
- 2050: The project will be fully completed by 2050, expanding the terminal to 9.7 million feet. It’ll include two additional 9,800-foot runways, a total of 299 aircraft positions, and the capacity for 550,000 takeoffs and landings each year.
Challenges. These plans were outlined in 2022. However, the South China Morning Post recently indicated that the airport board now anticipates an opening in 2035, with construction costs estimated at $4.3 billion. The main challenge stems from the airport’s location on an artificial island, an issue that the Kansai International Airport has also previously faced.
While engineers considered factors such as earthquakes, typhoons, and land subsidence, the airport is currently sinking and could potentially be underwater by 2056. Another significant challenge will be ensuring reliable transportation to the airport, but several routes for cars, subways, and high-speed trains have been planned to address this need.
It’s part of the plan. If everything goes according to plan, the Dalian Jinzhouwan Airport will be one of 22 new airports currently under construction in China. This mega-project aims to strengthen global connectivity while promoting economic expansion.
The combined cost of these projects is an impressive $19.6 billion. This highlights the significant investment needed for the new Dalian airport, which will use nearly a quarter of the total budget due to its construction on an artificial island.
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