The launching ceremony of the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is held at the T1 terminal in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, June 27, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
CHENGDU — Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Southwest China's Sichuan province has opened for operations, with a Sichuan Airlines flight bound for Beijing taking off on the morning of June 27.
Located some 50 km from downtown Chengdu, the Tianfu airport is the largest civil transport airport built during China's 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020) and the second international airport in the provincial capital, Chengdu.
With first-phase investment exceeding 75 billion yuan (about $11.7 billion), the airport has two terminals totaling 710,000 square meters, roughly the size of 100 football pitches, and is capable of dealing with an annual passenger throughput of 60 million.
According to long-term plans, the airport will eventually house terminals totaling 1.4 million square meters, capable of handling 120 million passengers annually.
The opening of the airport could help Chengdu become an integrated international transport hub linking China with Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
Aerial photo taken on May 11, 2021 shows the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province. [Photo/Xinhua]
A staff member helps a woman check in at the T2 terminal of the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, June 27, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
A cabin crew member explains safety guidelines to a passenger on flight 3U8001 of Sichuan Airlines at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Southwest China's Sichuan province, June 27, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
A passenger of flight 3U8001 of Sichuan Airlines poses with a boarding pass and a plane model of the flight at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, June 27, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
Passengers of the flight 3U8001 of Sichuan Airlines board the flight at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, June 27, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
Passengers check in at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, June 27, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
A plane is about to take off at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Southwest China's Sichuan province, June 27, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]
