Fuzhou Changle International Airport in Fujian province recently secured Rmb21.3 billion (US$3 billion) funding from the China National Development and Reform Commission for phase two of the expansion project for the gateway.

In a notice posted by the Centre for Aviation (CAPA), it said the project will include the construction of a 3600m x 60m second runway and relevant taxiway; construction of a 255,000sqm second terminal; construction of 60 new aircraft stands, eight cargo aircraft stands and relevant supporting facilities; and the construction of second air traffic control tower and new 9000sqm air traffic management centre.

It will also cover the reconstruction of existing air traffic control tower and air traffic management center; and the construction of a second aviation fuel station and distribution channel.

The airport targets 36 million passengers and 450,000 tonnes cargo per year by 2030 upon project completion. 

Inaugurated in 1997, Fuzhou Changle International Airport has a handling capacity of approximately 6.5 million people annually with a runway built to handle Boeing 747-400 and MD11 jumbo jets. 

In 2017, the airport handled about 12.5 million passengers and was the 29th busiest airport in China by total passenger traffic that year.