7 Airports to be Reconstruct-Expand or Newly Built Within 5 Years in Xinjiang

Within 5 years from 2011, Xinjiang plans to reconstruct and expand Urumqi Airport, Korla Airport and Hetian Airport; relocates Fuyun Airport and Qiemo Airport, and builds Tazhong Airport and Shache Airport. Reported at the Xinjiang Civil Aviation Work Conference held on January 21, 2010, the construction of these airports was incorporated into the "12th Five Year Plan" of Xinjiang. The completed construction of these 7 airports will further rationalize and optimize the flight network of Xinjiang. Xinjiang Civil Aviation will also build hub airport in the west part of Urumqi, expand international flight routes and out-of-Xinjiang trunk routes, and increase current flights within the province via Urumqi in order to make Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (Urumqi Airport in short) a vital pivot linking domestic and international air transportation. The Vice Minister of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), Xia Xinghua, revealed that CAAC will consider adding more flights from Urumqi to countries of Central Asia, West Asia and Middle East because Xinjiang possess an unique geographical advantages and international trades are getting busier. This move will give full scope to Urumqi’s unique advantage as air hub which links Xinjiang and its neighboring countries. The airport construction program of Xinjiang in the "11th Five Year Plan" has all been completed. These airports include new Bole Airport, relocated Turpan Airport and Kuqa Airport, and expanded Kashgar Airport and Yining Airport .