Air travel around the world boomed in recent years, with new routes opening up and low-cost airlines making long-distance travel affordable and more comfortable. Well, to cater this new-found demand, new airports are being built in cities across the world and upgrading old terminals to create facilities to manage tens of millions of passengers.
10 Most Amazing Airport Projects Under Construction or Being Renovated
New Manila International Airport
New Manila Airport is proposed to either replace or relive Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Located on the coast of Bulacan which is 35 km north of the city center. Also known as Bulacan international airport, although it is going to be the main airport.
The airport plan includes 4 runways, and it is going to be built on a 2500-hectare property. This airport will be considered as the potentially largest airport in Southeast Asia.
Long Thanh International Airport
The purpose of the new Long Thanh international airport is to replace outdated and cramped facilities at Ho Chi Minh City’s airport. It was built during the Vietnam War. The airport is already handling over 5 million passengers per year.
With an increasing number of visitors in the country, Vietnam Airlines is enhancing its operations. That’s why the government has brought forward the construction of a new airport known as Long Thanh International.
Its location is 25 miles to the east of the city, and it will have the capacity of a whopping 100 million passengers each year, expected to be completed in 2025.
New Central Polish Airport
The new Central Polish Airport is a megaproject which will be built from scratch. Located around 40 km southwest of Warsaw, the airport is planned to replace Warsaw Chopin Airport. Its project name is known as Solidarity Transport Hub Poland.
The airport is planned to be opened by 2027 and initially, it will contain 2 runways and later it will be upgraded to 4 runways. Also, the airport is combined with a train station, and it will serve approximately 40 million passengers each year.
Al Maktoum International Airport
The Al Maktoum International Airport was opened in 2010, however, its ambitious plans are not yet completed. This airport is handling cargo with a small selection of passenger flights. Al Maktoum airport southwest of downtown Dubai is going to be the largest and busiest in the world.
Its future construction plans include 5 runways, 3 terminals, and a home for huge fleets of superjumbos operated by Emirates. Moreover, there will also be a short walking distance for passengers, and a high-speed rail link to the center of Dubai.
Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport
Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport is being built to serve the city Xiamen in Fujian, China. Its completion is estimated in the year 2025 and it is going to replace the current Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport.
It is located on the Dadeng Island facing Nan’an, Quanzhou, to the north. Its facilities will include 3 runways approximately 3800 meters long. In addition, the airport is projected to serve 62 million passengers and also 1 million tons of cargo per year by 2030. Its expansion plan also includes serving capability to 85 million passengers.
Western Sydney Airport
The construction of Western Sydney Airport was started in September 2018. Due to the existing Kingsford Smith airport waterfront location and nighttime curfew to keep the neighbors happy, a new airport has been in the planning for some time.
Western Sydney Airport, which is 27 miles from the city and located at the very Aussie -sounding Badgerys Creek, is being built to accommodate growth and provide relief to the current airport. The Western Sydney airport is likely to be open in 2026.
Kasteli Airport
The Kasteli Airport is a new planned international airport located on the Island of Crete, Greece. This Airport will serve the increasing air transportation requirements in Greece by replacing the current Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport, which has been operational since 1937.
In the beginning, the airport will be able to manage 9 million local and international passengers each year. However, its maximum capacity will be expanded to 15 million passengers. It was started in February 2020 and is planned to be operated in 2025.
Vlorë International Airport
The construction of Vlore International Airport was started in 2021 in the Vjosa-Narta Protected area. Located 10 km north of the city Vlore in Albania. Vlore International Airport is the third international airport in Albania, after Kukes and Tirana International Airport.
In addition, the passenger capacity in the initial phase will be 500,000 passengers each year. Its development is planned to serve the residents of the Vlore region and make air travel more easier and comfortable to use.
Chinchero International Airport
The airport is under construction and is located in the town of Chinchero District in Peru. The Chinchero International Airport is planned to replace the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport.
Although the idea of Chinchero airport began in 1978, but was delayed due to internal conflict in Peru. But the anticipated opening date for the airport is now delayed to 2025. It will serve 5 million passengers per year and can be expanded up to 8 million passengers’ capacity.
Pokhara Regional International Airport
Pokhara International Airport is under construction in Gandaki Province, Nepal. Located 3 km east of the current domestic Pokhara airport and the airport is set to open in 2022. The ultimate purpose of the airport is to encourage tourism in the region.
The facilities of the airport include 8200 ft runaway with a parallel taxiway. This airport will also serve as the aerial gateway to the Annapurna and Himalayan regions in Nepal. Its annual passenger capacity is expected to manage one million passengers.
So, these are the new airports that are under construction or being upgraded. Despite some setbacks or delays, the construction of new airports and up-gradation continue to progress. The expected outcomes were thrown out of the window, and we have seen enormous improvements in airports worldwide.