Chongqing - In the first session of the 14th National People's Congress, the Chongqing delegation submitted a suggestion of support for the development of the city as an international aviation gateway. The entire delegation put forth two detailed suggestions, one being the construction of the new airport in Chongqing and the other being the construction of additional transport airports in the city.

Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport T3A terminal and the third runway. (File photo)

The planning outline of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle construction states explicitly the need for planning and building a new airport in Chongqing.

As the new airport is constructed, the government's strategy will become a significant infrastructure project, creating a world-class airport cluster in the Chengdu-Chongqing region.  

It is hoped that relevant government departments can approve the new airport's location as soon as possible and guide Chongqing in accelerating its preparations during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

To promote the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle and further optimize the layout of civil aviation airports in the region, the Chongqing delegation also proposed adding more transport airports to the city's overall planning in the next version of the "national civil aviation airport layout plan." This move will better serve local economic and social development needs. 

The delegation pointed out some shortcomings in the city's civil aviation infrastructure, considering the central government's strategic positioning and requirements for Chongqing .

Jiangbei International Airport, for instance, has a complex topography and limited development space.  Its terminal design capacity is only 80 million passengers per year, making it difficult to meet future sustainable development needs in the aviation market. 

Besides, although Chongqing has five transport airports located in Jiangbei, Wanzhou, Qianjiang, Wushan, and Wulong, some regions still do not have access to transport airports within 100 kilometers.  

In addition, Chongqing has a lower density of transport airports than the national average, and the coverage of aviation services and the convenience of passengers is not high.

Therefore, developing an international aviation hub is of great importance to Chongqing. According to the delegation, this is necessary for Chongqing's new era's national strategic positioning and demands and an important strategic initiative for the city to seize critical opportunities. 

Firstly, it actively supports the national strategy and promotes the development of inland areas.

Having a prominent strategic position, Chongqing is crucial in leading inland opening-up in the western region. The civil aviation industry is strategic, and constructing an international aviation hub will enhance Chongqing's international accessibility and transportation service efficiency. By leveraging the China (Chongqing) Pilot Free Trade Zone and other foreign opening platforms, the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor will benefit.

Secondly, it supports and promotes integration into the  evolving  development pattern.

Aviation transportation has comparative advantages in global accessibility and high transportation efficiency, significantly driving industry upgrading and promoting high-end consumption. Constructing an international aviation hub will promote better regional economic integration into the global industrial system. Markets and resources in both domestic and international markets are fully utilized through this move.

Thirdly, a modern, comprehensive, high-quality, and three-dimensional transportation system will be constructed by integrating all modes of transportation.

Fourthly, it will make it possible to build a strong civil aviation nation and meet the high-quality living needs of its citizens.