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As disclosed by Sichuan Provincial Development and Reform Commission on September 19, Sichuan would spare no effort in building Chengdu into the fourth largest international aviation hub and gateway in western China. Currently, only Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou have international aviation hubs.
Time is mature for Sichuan province to build a state-level international aviation hub. Located at the midpoint of the Europe-Asia aviation route, Chengdu is a golden transit hub for flights from Hong Kong, Macao and Southeast Asia to Europe and Middle Asia and that from the Middle East to East China and East Asia. From January to August 2011, the passenger and cargo throughputs of Chengdu Shuangliu Airport were both ranked fifth in China. Its annual passenger throughput is expected to reach 30 million, becoming one of the busiest airports in the world. The new 14 billion yuan terminal building will also begin operation at the end of this year. By then, it will have the capacity to land the largest aircraft in the world - the Airbus A380.
The site selection plan for building a new airport in Chengdu will be decided and submitted. With an airfield level indicator of 4F, the new airport will boast the passenger throughput of over 80 million, cargo throughput of 6 million tons and, has the capacity for 850,000 planes to take off and land per annum.