An airport extension project was completed today in southwest China's Chongqing Airport, enormously increasing its shipping capacity.

The project included a 2800-meter long by 44-meter wide runway, three high-speed taxiways and a 65,000 sq m parking apron. Prior to the extensions the airport did not have a single taxiway, causing flight take-off and landing delays.

Chongqing, one of China's four municipalities to be formed, has witnessed rapid increases in the amount of freight and number of passengers to go through the airport in recent years. The airport has operated over-capacity since it was completed. The planned passenger throughput was set at one million per year, but the actual number of passengers to use the airport has been over 2.8 million per year.

The airport can now handle 30 flights taking off and landing per hour, compared with the previous capacity of 17.

(Eastday.com 12/17/2000)