“Ready for takeoff?” I ask. Today we explore Guilin Liangjiang International Airport. This airport is more than just a place to catch a flight. It’s a gateway to the stunning landscapes of Guilin.
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport opened on October 1, 1996. Before that Guilin used Qifengling Airport. The State Council of China approved the project in 1991. Building this airport cost 1.85 billion yuan.
Did you know that Guilin Liangjiang International Airport has grown significantly since then? In 2014 it handled 5.8 million passengers. That made it the 33rd busiest airport in China. Around 4 million travelers pass through it every year. They fly to 48 destinations. These destinations include both domestic and international locations.
The airport features a long runway. It measures 3200 meters. The parking area for planes is quite large too. It covers 150,000 square meters. There are 20 gate positions for aircraft. The main terminal building spans 50,000 square meters.
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport cares about aesthetics. The airport invested 20 million yuan to improve its look. They also focused on making it environmentally friendly. The airport has even won awards for these efforts.
Terminal 2 opened on September 30, 2018. All flights moved from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2. Terminal 2 boasts 100,000 square meters of floor space. It features 22 security lanes. Seventeen lanes are for domestic travel. Five are for international travel. There are 25 boarding gates. Terminal 2 can handle 12 million passengers. It can also handle 95,000 tons of cargo each year. The construction of Terminal 2 cost 3.258 billion yuan.
Terminal 1 closed for renovations after Terminal 2 opened. The airport also built a new apron and taxi lanes.
Guilin Liangjiang International Airport offers visa-free entry to certain visitors. Since 2015 citizens from 10 ASEAN countries can apply for a six-day visa-free stay. This only applies to tourist groups handled by certified travel agencies. The tour activities must stay within Guilin’s administrative area. Also passengers can transit visa-free for 72 hours if they are traveling to a third country.
Today Guilin Liangjiang International Airport connects 76 cities. It has 112 domestic and foreign routes. In 2017 the airport served over 786,000 passengers. The total number of flights reached 62,400. Guilin Liangjiang International Airport is more than just an airport. It’s a vital part of Guilin’s connection to the world.