Exciting news for Chengdu today: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) is officially open! With the completion, Chengdu is to become the third largest airport hub in China, after Beijing and Shanghai.
The airport is set to have an initial capacity of 40 million passengers per year and a maximum capacity of 90 million passengers, more than twice that of Chengdu Shuangliu Airport.
Below is more information about the project and how to get there, as we know that lots of you aren’t looking forward to the long commute… But first, a video of the project!
Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (Chinese: 成都天府国际机场, IATA code: TFU) is located in Lujia Town, Jianyang, Chengdu, 51 kilometres (32 mi) south-east of the center of Chengdu. It is named after the Tianfu New Area, a development zone in which the airport is located. It operate as a second airport, bringing Chengdu into the era of ‘double airports’ and will be amongst the leading airports in China, after Beijing and Shanghai.
The total cost of the project is around 77.7 billion RMB (12 billion USD). The new airport will cover an area of 30sqkm. The airport will eventually feature a total of six runways and two terminal buildings upon completion. The first three runways and terminal building are already completed in phase one of construction, the remaining will be completed in phase two.
Once completed, the airport will have capacity for 90 million passengers, more than twice that of Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, six million tons of cargo and 850,000 aircraft movements p/a, making it the largest airport in China’s west region and the nation’s fourth largest international hub.
Tianfu International Airport includes all international passenger routes and most international cargo routes in the future, while Chengdu Shuangliu airport will be limited to some domestic flights and international cargo routes.
History and Construction
As early as 2007, there had been plans for the new airport for Chengdu.
In May 2011, officials confirmed the plan of the Chengdu new airport and location-selecting started.
In June 2013, the Civil Aviation Administration of China officially confirmed and approved Jianyang’s Lujia Town is the location for Chengdu new airport.
In January 2015, the State Council and Central Military Commission officially approved Chengdu new airport project.
In September 2015, the Civil Aviation Administration of China approved the official name: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport,
In January 2021, several aircrafts successfully made their test flights and plans for June opening.
Check out a video showing the construction (starting May 2016) of Chengdu Tianfu International Airport over the years.
Design Features
The building wil cover over 330,000 square meters, equivalent to 46 standard football fields; consisting of 5 floors and 2 underground floors.
The terminal buildings are constructed in the shape of the mythical sunbird, used as a logo for the city of Chengdu, which has a history of some 3,000 years and represents the creativity and exploration of Sichuan people. From a central hollow circular core, 6 arms radiate outwards with both terminals mirroring the other.
Sustainable Urban Growth
The general plan for Chengdu Tianfu International Airport City represents a comprehensive, 21st-century vision for sustainable urban growth. Transforms former agricultural land into a vibrant development that prioritizes the environment, urban liveability, and economic opportunity.
The opening of the airport could help Chengdu become an integrated international transport hub linking China with Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
The general plan features a network of open space corridors, which combine infrastructure for flood management, energy generation, wastewater treatment, and forest preservation areas. Development zones are strategically located and limited to less than one-third of the site to minimize environmental impact. Within these zones, new buildings, streets and other features are carefully positioned to enhance wind flow and improve air quality.
Transportation
Internal transportation
The two airport terminals will be connected by an Innovia automated people mover (APM). To connect airport parking to the two terminal buildings, there will be a personal rapid transit system, consisting of 9.7 km of guideway, 4 stations and 22 pods.
External transportation
Passengers can get to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport via Metro Line 18, airport shuttle, long-distance bus, taxi, online car-hailing or self-driving.
1. Metro Line 18
Station: Tianfu Airport North
Ticket Price: RMB 10/person
Operating Hours: 06:00-23:30
Pick-up Point: Transfer Hall on L1 of Transportation Center
Time from South Railway Station to TFU: Express line around 38 minutes, normal line 45 minutes.
2. Airport Shuttle Busses
Chunxi Road – Tianfu International Airport
TFU – Chunxi Road: 09:00-24:00
Chunxi Road – TFU: 07:00-20:00
Each 30-45min
Price: 40-45RMB
East Railway Station – Tianfu International Airport
TFU – East Railway: 09:00-24:00
East Railway – TFU: 07:00-20:00
Each 30-45min
Price: 35-40RMB
3. Long-distance Busses
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport Long-distance Bus Station will open passenger lines to and from 49 cities including Tongjiang, Jiajiang, Leshan, Luzhou, Langzhong and Nanchong in the first batch. The routes will be adjusted according to the actual situation, please refer to the actual ticket information for details.
Pick-up Point: Long-distance Bus Waiting Area on Level 1 of Transportation Center
4. Taxi & car-hailing
Taxi: the pick-up area is on level 1 of the wings of Terminal 1 and 2;
Online car-hailing: the pick-up area on level 1 of the parking buildings of Terminal 1 and 2.
5. Self-driving
Passengers can park in the No. 1 parking building and No. 2 parking building; to drop-off relatives and friends, drivers can pull over for a short while at the Level 4 of Terminal 1 and 2.
Estimated time from Chengdu city center: approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes
TFU Airport Terminal 1
TFU Airport Terminal 2
Pictures
