China plans to build 97 new airports

China has embraced a highly ambitious plan to construct no fewer than 97 airports over the course of the next 12 years, in anticipation of a continued rise in the number of Chinese taking to the skies, as well as a marked rise in foreign visitors. China’s General Administration of Civil Aviation confirmed plans to construct 97 new hubs by 2020, thus bringing the total number of Chinese airports to 244. China currently operates 147 domestic and international airports across the country. If all goes according to plan, then roughly 82 percent of China’s population will find themselves no more than 100km from a public airport. The projected cost of this massive project currently stands at $64 billion.

Chinese aviation authorities are convinced that commercial air traffic will expand by over 11 percent each year, for the next twelve years, thus necessitating the expansion of existing terminals and the construction of new airports. Cargo traffic is also expected to rise by some 14 percent annually, between now and 2020.

A total of 24 of the new airports will be constructed in the north and northeast regions of the country, with an additional 12 to be built in eastern regions and 14 new hubs in south and central areas. Additionally, 26 airports are slated to be constructed in the northwest. The country’s gateway hub, however, will be the Beijing Capital International Airport, which recently underwent expansion and renovations.