China is building what will become the world’s largest artificial-island airport, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), in a bid to strengthen Dalian’s status as a regional transportation hub. The Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport, currently under construction, will span 20 square kilometers (7.72 square miles), as stated on the Liaoning provincial government’s official website.
Upon completion, the airport will outsize both Hong Kong International Airport (12.48 sq km) and Japan’s Kansai International Airport (10.5 sq km), which are also located on man-made islands.
“It truly is the largest, as the people of Dalian claim,” aviation consultant Li Hanming told SCMP.
The Jinzhouwan Airport, built entirely on an artificial offshore island, will serve Dalian, a northeastern port city strategically positioned for trade with Japan and South Korea. With over 6 million residents, Dalian has become a key hub for oil refineries, shipping, logistics, and coastal tourism, owing to its location at the northern end of the Bohai Strait.
The new airport will be the first of its kind on mainland China and will feature four runways and a massive terminal covering 900,000 square meters (9.69 million square feet). Initially, it will handle 43 million passengers annually—over twice the capacity of the current Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport—with future plans to accommodate up to 80 million passengers per year.
Airports Council International, a Canada-based industry organization, noted that the airport will also process one million tonnes of cargo annually when fully operational. The project, expected to cost $4.3 billion, is set for completion by 2035.
As of August, “deep foundation treatment” of a 77,000-square-metre reclamation area had been completed, according to the Liaoning provincial government. Additional reclamation and foundation work for the terminal are also in progress.
The current Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport, which dates back nearly a century to Japanese occupation, has undergone multiple expansions but has now reached its capacity limits. Xinhua reported that the airport served 658,000 international passengers last year.
Li Hanming highlighted the challenges of the existing airport’s location, which is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains. This geography, he said, complicates flight operations, particularly during bad weather, and poses safety concerns.
However, Li also pointed out the risks associated with island airports. “Airports on islands are particularly vulnerable to disruptions if connected to the mainland by a single bridge,” he warned, citing threats like earthquakes, typhoons, or ship collisions.
China’s infrastructure development shows no signs of slowing, with 22 new airports—worth a collective $19.6 billion—under construction as of July, according to the CAPA Centre for Aviation.
Once operational, the Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport is expected to significantly boost regional connectivity and reinforce Dalian’s position as a critical hub for transportation and trade.
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