A relic of Shanghai’s aviation past stands before us. Longhua Airport. Its story is one of ambition and tragedy innovation and decline.
Longhua Airport opened in the early 1920s. It served as Shanghai’s primary airport for decades. This humble heliport is a far cry from the bustling international airports we know today. Its history is rich. It witnessed the rise and fall of empires. The roar of propellers replaced by the quiet hum of helicopters.
Longhua Airport’s Art Deco terminal building is a stunning example of its golden age. This semi-circular marvel is a testament to a bygone era. It was built in the early 1930s. The airport’s main air traffic control tower remains atop the terminal. It is the last structure standing from the original airport. During its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s Longhua was renowned as the largest airport in the Far East. It was particularly popular with amphibious aircraft.
Imperial Japanese Airways used Longhua Airport. They operated flights to Fukuoka and Taipei during World War II. The tarmac was expanded significantly during this period. It could accommodate at least 100 aircraft. Before 1937 only 10 airplanes could be parked. Two gravel runways were added. This made Longhua one of China’s first multi-runway airports.
After World War II the airport was modernized. Power supply radar and communication systems were upgraded. Longhua became a key hub for China National Aviation Corporation (CNAC). Many international airlines used it as a stopover. Northwest Orient Airlines flew from the US and Japan to the Philippines via Longhua. This was from 1947 to 1949. Hong Kong Airways also served Longhua with scheduled flights to Hong Kong from 1948. KLM’s first ever flight to Shanghai in 1948 landed at Longhua.
The People’s Liberation Army took control in 1949. It remained a civil airport until 1966. Passenger services were then moved to Hongqiao Airport. A flying school later occupied the old hangars. The runway was built over. The terminal is now surrounded by apartments. Some old aircraft remain. These are an Ilyushin Il-14 an Antonov An-24 and two Antonov An-2s. They are no longer operational.
Longhua Airport may be gone but its memory lives on. Its legacy is etched into Shanghai’s history. The once-bustling airport now serves as a poignant reminder of a pivotal era in aviation history. The transformation from a vital transportation hub to a park and art center demonstrates how Shanghai’s past shapes its future. Longhua Airport’s spirit endures. It’s a reminder of the city’s dynamic past and its enduring spirit.