Hainan's largest airport completes major construction

Hainan Dongfang Airport, the largest general airport in Hainan, recently completed major construction, including 14 parking aprons and an 800-meter airstrip.

The old airport, established in 2002, at first had only two parking aprons. It acted as an important flight support base for offshore oil drilling and development. The new one, located in Nadeng village of Dongfang city, is a provincial key project. The first phase will cover an area of 244.32 mu (16.29 hectares), two times larger than the original one, and the second phase will cover about 1,791 mu.

Tian Changfeng, project leader of the Hainan Dongfang Airport, said that the newly-built airport with infrastructure investment of 170 million ($26.68 million) will become the largest general airport in Hainan province with the most comprehensive equipment and facilities. The first phase will be completed and ready for operations within two months.

Design sketch of the Hainan Dongfang Airport [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Additional programs will be implemented based on the development planning of the general aviation industry of Hainan, including air-travelling, pilot training, and aircraft maintenance.

According to the business plan, the new airport, equipped with comprehensive flight facilities and an emergency rescue system, will serve western regions of Hainan and neighboring sea areas, as well as function as an incubator for the development of the industry in the province.

Commencement ceremony of the Hainan Dongfang Airport [Photo by Fu Meibin/Chinanews.com]