$2.5-B allotted for 4 airport projects

China’s National Development and Reform Commission announced that four airport expansion projects have been approved for a total investment of RMB 19.4 billion (about US$2.5 billion). These are the Shanghai Hongqiao Airport expansion, the new Qinghai Yushu Airport, and the third expansion of the Urumqi Airport and flight area expansion of the Guangxi Nanning Airport. China will spend RMB 480 million for the Qinghai Yushu Airport project. The Civil Aviation Administration of China and the NCRD will arrange for the funding of the project. The third stage of the Urumqi Airport expansion will result in an annual passenger volume of 16.3 million by 2015. A new terminal building will be built with a size of 90,000 sq.m. and the new apron will have 165,000 sq.m. in area. Total cost of the project is RMB 2.83 billion. The Shanghai Hongqiao Airport expansion project will be designed to meet the target of an annual passenger throughput of 40 million by 2015. A new runway with a length of 3,300 meters will be built and a new terminal building about 250,000 sq.m. in size. Total investment is about RMB 15.3 billion. The flight area expansion project of the Guangxi Nanning Airport will cost RMB 530 million. The expansion will boost the economy of Guangxi and will allow it to hold big international events like the China-Asean Trade Zone Expo.