China is on the verge of unveiling another monumental achievement in aviation with the upcoming Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport. Set to be the world’s largest airport built on a man-made island, this ambitious project is rapidly taking shape off the country’s northeast coast.

When the first phase opens, projected for as early as 2026, the airport will feature two runways and a terminal spanning 400,000 square meters (4.3 million square feet), with the capacity to handle 43 million passengers annually. Once fully complete, the airport will expand to cover a 20-square-kilometer (7.7-square-mile) island, accommodating 80 million passengers and 1 million tons of cargo per year across four runways and a 900,000-square-meter (969,000 sq ft) terminal.

Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport will surpass both Hong Kong International Airport and Japan’s Kansai Airport to become the largest artificial island airport in the world. Construction has involved overcoming extraordinary challenges, from complex geological conditions to demanding schedules, according to Li Xiang, the project’s chief engineer. However, progress is well underway, with land reclamation and foundational work already complete.

Dalian, a coastal city with 7.5 million residents, has long been a vital transportation hub due to its proximity to Japan and South Korea. Its current airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi International, has operated for nearly a century but has reached capacity despite multiple expansions. The new facility will not only address this demand but also establish Dalian as a key player in China’s rapidly growing aviation network.

As China invests heavily in airport infrastructure to meet surging passenger demand, the Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport stands out as a symbol of the country’s forward-thinking ambition. With its grand opening on the horizon, this airport is set to reshape regional and international connectivity while cementing China’s reputation as a leader in aviation innovation.