Jiangsu to invest 15 billion in airports

On April 1st, Jiangsu Communications Department’s Director for aviation industry, Miao Zhenghong, said that 10 billion yuan is to be invested in the second phase of the Nanjing Lukou International Airport expansion project. The feasibility study report has been submitted to the National Development and Reform Commission for approval. This will be the largest capital investment in a transportation project for the province.
At the same time, Miao said that plans for a 560 million yuan expansion to the airport expansion project in Nantong are being submitted for approval, while Lianyungang Airport’s master plan has been in CAAC East China Administration for approval. Once approval is confirmed from the East China Civil Aviation Authority, it will be passed over to the National Development and Reform Commission for final approval. This year the province is planning to launch a new round of airport facility planning. The plans, known as "7 +2," call for grooming the two major airports, Nanjing Lukou and Wuxi Shuofang, into hub airports, expanding the five satellite airports -- Nantong, Changzhou , Xuzhou, Lianyungang and Yancheng, and adding two more, in Huaian and Jiangdu, respectively. The prioritized expansion project of the Nanjing Lukou International Airport is slated to begin in the first half of this year. The project includes a new 3,600-meter long runway and a new 200,000 sq. meter terminal. When the new facilities come on-line in three years, they are expected to handle a passenger throughput of 300 millions and cargo throughput of 800,000 tons, which fits the long-term needs projected for 2020. The proposed renovation for the province’s other hub airport, Wuxi’s Shifang, have also been reported to the NDRC. The capital project will cost 296 million yuan. The 176 million-yuan expansion project of Lianyungang Airport has also begun. Located in Baitabu Town of Donghai County, Lianyungang caters to both military and civil use. Upon completion by the years end, the project will have expanded the international terminal from 5,100 to 11,200 square meters and the apron from 20,000 to 50,000 square meters.