China is building the world’s largest airport on a man-made island. The Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport, located off China’s northeast coast, spans a massive 20 square kilometer island and will feature four runways and a 900,000 square meter passenger terminal. Construction for the airport began in earnest after plans were first made in 2003, with the airport set for completion in 2035.

Once finished, Dalian Jinzhou Bay International will become the largest artificial island airport globally, surpassing both Hong Kong International and Japan’s Kansai Airport. The airport is expected to handle 80 million passengers annually and manage over 540,000 flights each year. It is described as "rising slowly from the sea" as it emerges as the country’s largest offshore airport.

The ambitious project faces numerous challenges, particularly in dealing with complex geological conditions and a tight construction schedule, according to Li Xiang, the chief engineer overseeing the development.

Dalian, a major transportation hub with a population of 7.5 million, is close to both Japan and South Korea. The current Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport has reached full capacity, prompting the need for this new facility.

China's aviation sector is on track to become the largest in the world by 2043, outpacing both North America and Europe. The market is expected to grow from $23 billion in 2024 to $61 billion. By 2043, China will operate over 11,000 aircraft, with a substantial portion of them being new deliveries, contributing significantly to global aviation demand.