Chinese authorities have now declared that Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is now complete. Set to be a major hub for Air China, this mega project represents Chengdu's second international airport after Shuangliu. Let's take a closer look at this new airport and what it means for Chengdu and Chinese aviation.

Air China's newest hub

China Travel News is reporting that the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has now declared the Chengdu Tianfu International airport complete. Although a great deal of international travel remains restricted, the airport is set to be a new international base for Air China, and will officially launch sometime before June 30th.

The new Air China base will see the following facilities operating for the major Chinese carrier:

  • Aircraft maintenance
  • An air cargo hub
  • An aviation food production center capable of producing up to 45,000 meals per day
  • A 1,500 bed-room hostel for airline employees

“The hall area of ​​the hangar is 14,290 square meters, which can meet the maintenance of two Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft, one A320 narrow-body aircraft or two A350 aircraft at the same site, and can provide aircraft and engine overhauls, passenger aircraft conversions, and aircraft retrofits,” -Air China via AeroTime Hub

Air China will be the main airline operating out of this new airport. Photo: Airbus

With Chengdu located in the southwest portion of China, it is expected that the new airport will be both a regional and international hub. In recent years, Air China has improved its connectivity both domestically and internationally, launching routes from Chengdu to cities like London, Paris, and Frankfurt. There is also strong service with other major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Hangzhou.

In addition to Air China flying out of the airport, China Eastern is also preparing to operate out of the facility. The airline has already stated that a number of domestic destinations will switch to the airport as of July 1st. They include the following cities:

  • Shanghai Hongqiao
  • Shanghai Pudong
  • Beijing Daxing
  • Kunming
  • Xian
  • Hangzhou

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China's third city with two major airports

AirlineGeeks notes that this new airport will make Chengdu the third city in China, after Shanghai and Beijing, to own two international airports. Tianfu International will complement Chengdu's existing airport, Shuangliu, which itself was the second busiest airport in the country last year and the busiest airport during the Lunar New Year Holidays this year.

A Sichuan Airlines Airbus A330 lands on the runway of the new Chengdu Tianfu International Airport during test flights in January 2021. Photo: Getty Images

Chengdu Expat notes that the terminal facilities will cover over 330,000 square meters and offer five above-ground floors as well as two levels underground. The airport will have an impressive six runways and four terminals.

The CAAC states that Chengdu Shuangliu operated 72 domestic routes and 14 international routes. Once the new Tianfu airport is operational, it is expected to be the city's main international airport. Meanwhile, Shuangliu airport is expected to take on a more domestic focus.

Have you flown through Chengdu before? Do you expect to fly through this airport in the future? Let us know in the comments.