The Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport expansion project, the largest civil aviation investment in Shandong’s history, has reached a critical milestone with the topping out of its integrated transport hub. The development is expected to be fully operational by 2026, delivering seamless connections between air, rail, metro, and road transport, and positioning Jinan as a leading regional and international aviation hub.
The integrated hub, covering 388,700 square meters, will feature a metro interchange hall, a central transit center, multi-level parking structures, intermodal air-rail corridors, and long-distance coach halls. Built by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) Eighth Engineering Bureau, the project faced complex challenges due to its proximity to operating high-speed rail and metro lines. To overcome constraints, the contractor deployed innovative “large-cross, large-flow” scheduling, mobilizing over 10,000 workers at peak construction while ensuring uninterrupted airport operations.
Digital innovation has played a central role in project delivery. The site incorporates over 4,200 monitoring points connected to IoT and smart systems for real-time structural safety and environmental oversight. BIM modeling, intelligent early-warning, and advanced visual inspection technologies have significantly enhanced efficiency and safety standards, particularly for large steel structure works.
In parallel, CSCEC Third Engineering Bureau has completed four major parking facilities, spanning 180,000 square meters, offering 4,200 vehicle spaces for taxis, buses, ride-hailing, and private cars. The project introduced advanced construction techniques, including BIM-driven management, 24-hour continuous operations, and sustainable features such as PP modular rainwater storage systems, capable of recycling 45 tons of water annually for landscaping and cleaning. These efforts contributed to multiple provincial-level construction innovations and patents.
Once completed in 2026, the expanded Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport will operate three runways and nearly 800,000 square meters of terminal facilities. It will upgrade to the 4F aviation classification—the highest standard—capable of handling large intercontinental aircraft. Passenger throughput is projected to reach 55 million annually, with cargo capacity rising to 520,000 tons, surpassing Qingdao to become the largest airport in Shandong Province.
The project is a cornerstone of the “Four Ports and Three Zones” initiative, which integrates aviation, rail, river, and road logistics into a new “hub city” model in northeast Jinan. Alongside the airport, the strategy includes the Jinan East Railway Station, Jinan Port on the Xiaoqing River, and the Dongjia Railway Logistics Center, collectively forming a national-level multimodal transport system.
Jinan officials emphasize that the expansion will not only enhance connectivity across Shandong—linking 10 cities and serving over 70 million people within one hour—but also strengthen the city’s role in the China-Europe freight rail network and global logistics corridors. Already, Jinan Airport has opened 208 passenger and cargo routes to 120 cities worldwide, including recent international cargo links to Tokyo, Bangkok, Luxembourg, and Nottingham.
With a total investment of RMB 43.9 billion, the Jinan Airport Phase II expansion is regarded as a flagship “super project” under China’s aviation modernization drive. Local leaders affirm it will be a catalyst for regional economic transformation, trade growth, and the development of a high-level international aviation hub in the Yellow River basin.