Yangzhou airport runway extends to 3,200 meters

The runway of Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport is extended from 2,400 meters to 3,200 meters. [Photo/yznews.com.cn]

Construction on the extension to the runway of Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport was completed on Aug 20, increasing its length from 2,400 meters to 3,200 meters.

As the main construction in the first-phase extension project of the airport, the runway is expected to undertake its first trial flight in September, before being officially put into use at the end of this year.

"The construction was done at night," said Li Zhenjie, an official from the airport. Li added that the biggest problem is to figure out how to push forward without suspending air services.

"In order to make sure that the construction can finish on time, we often use the gap hours between the last flight at night and the first flight in the next morning," said a constructor.

Aside from extending the runway, projects in seven aspects such as fire protection and power supply are also under construction. 

"Runway is the basis of an airport. A higher-level runway is vital to an airport's handling capacity," said Wang Dongsheng, chairman of the airport.

"When passenger demand is high, larger planes can be used to satisfy the demand. Also, the extension project makes it possible for opening long-distance airlines in the future," Wang said.

The extension project is also expected to boost cargo development. Sites for warehouses and cargo services will also be put into use soon. "Several express companies have reached out to us including SF Express and STO Express," Wang said, believing the cooperation would lay a solid foundation for building a freight hub in central Jiangsu province.