Why is HAECO Xiamen Erecting One of the Most Massive Aircraft Hangars in the World?

Ingenuity and a Strong Grasp of Technology

It is well documented that China typically undertakes infrastructure projects on a grand scale. From airports to buildings and bridges as well as dams, the Chinese people with their remarkable ingenuity and firm grasp of technology have proven time and again that they can create some of the world’s most magnificent structures. The HAECO Xiamen aircraft hangar project is no exception. The company had its groundbreaking ceremony back in January of 2023.

Maintenance and Modification Aviation Related Services

HAECO Xiamen is an impressive company that was originally founded in the early 1990s. The organization continues to grow, quickly earning a reputation for being one of the leading providers of aviation focused maintenance and modification services in the Asia Pacific region. Few other companies compare when it comes to the level of design engineering, parts manufacturing, and airframe-related work. The company also specializes in technical training and certification-related services.

Largest of its Kind Found Anywhere on the Planet

Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport is the original headquarters of the company with plans to move to the new airport location once the hangar project has been fully completed. With the project occupying well over 530,000 square meters of space, the hangar, once finished, will be regarded as the largest of its kind anywhere on the planet. Equally impressive is that the project is heavily focused on ecologically friendly green design techniques. Using advanced technology and the latest in construction innovation, the company plans on creating an aircraft hangar structure complex that maximizers energy and overall operational efficiency.

Streamline on Time Performance

The project will include more than one dozen maintenance bays that will accommodate even the largest wide-body aircraft as well as several narrow-bodied aircraft. The facility will also incorporate two main aircraft paint bays. Perhaps most notable of all is the fact that this project, once complete, will substantially reduce aircraft maintenance lead times and streamline on-time performance. The clever design of the structure will include connecting portals that will unite hangars with several surrounding buildings. This will help to improve functionality and resource allocation.

Modern Technologically Advanced Structure

In addition, the project calls for the latest and most aesthetically pleasing state-of-the-art interiors as well as advanced energy technology, including solar panels and solar energy utilization. This, along with intelligent building management technology, smart lighting systems, and highly efficient air conditioning and heating systems, will ensure that the building will thrive for many decades. Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport is already regarded as one of the top airports in China. This new, modern, technologically advanced structure will only add more usability and value to the airport.

The Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport

Xiamen Xiang’an Airport is a modern, well-designed airport currently under construction in Xiamen, a coastal city in China’s Fujian Province. Custom designed to serve as a key air hub in thriving southeastern China, the airport is slated to replace Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport as the city’s new main airport upon final completion, relieving airline congestion and expanding capacity to accommodate future growth in passenger and cargo flight operations.

Airport Origin

The decision to design and build Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport arose from the rapidly growing demand for air travel across the region and the constraints of the existing Gaoqi International Airport. First opened in the 1980s, Gaoqi Airport has served Xiamen and the surrounding communities for several decades. However, it has faced serious capacity-driven constraints because of its location within such a densely populated urban area, limiting its ability to expand with growing demand.

A Projected Completion Date

As Xiamen continued to develop economically as well as demographically, the need for a larger capacity and more efficient airport became obvious. In 2012, Chinese authorities approved the construction of a new state-of-the-art airport in Xiang’an District, with a projected completion date initially set for the mid-2020s. This new airport project is part of China’s broader strategy to substantially enhance regional development and advance its position as a global aviation and travel leader.

Location and Infrastructure

Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport is roughly 15 miles northeast of the city center. The Xiang’an District, known for its stunning coastal views and rich Chinese heritage, is an emerging urban area that has recently experienced a large amount of development. The airport’s location makes possible easy access to Xiamen’s downtown area, as well as to other surrounding cities like Zhangzhou and Quanzhou, expanding its community connectivity. Situated on reclaimed land, the airport will comprise an area of somewhere on the order of 10 square miles, with an eventual expansion potential to accommodate further growth.

Easily Accommodate the Latest Wide-Body Aircraft

The airport boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including two parallel runways, each measuring more than 12,000 feet in length, that can easily accommodate the latest wide-body airliners. The terminal building exudes a modern aesthetic feel with elements inspired by the region’s maritime culture. It will feature advanced passenger handling, generous shopping and dining options, and high efficiency boarding and baggage systems. The first phase of the project is expected to accommodate an annual capacity of 20 million passengers and nearly 400,000 tons of cargo, with future phases having a target capacity of 45 million passengers annually.

Capacity and Community Impact

Upon project completion, Xiamen Xiang’an International is expected to serve as a key critical gateway for both domestic and international travel, significantly growing the local economy and the airport’s status as a major commercial hub. The airport is intended to serve the growing air traffic needs of the Fujian province, one of China’s most active economic regions. Xiamen is known for its thriving community, which includes a mix of locals and many international expatriates that continue to be attracted by the city’s exciting business opportunities, scenic coastal landscapes, and excellent quality of life.

Driving Economic Expansion

In addition to supercharging tourism and trade, the new airport is likely to bring numerous benefits to locals living throughout the area, including job creation and more convenient access to international markets. The airport’s development will attract more businesses, further driving economic expansion across the region. The Xiang’an District is expected to undergo a significant transformation, with the airport serving as a trigger for more new infrastructure projects, such as hotels, commerce parks, and residential homes.

The Region’s Exciting Dynamic Growth

Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport is a key driver in the future of air travel and economic development across China. By providing modern, efficient, and technologically advanced facilities, the airport will not only alleviate the constraints faced by the existing Gaoqi International Airport but also support the region’s exciting, dynamic growth and integration into global commerce. The new airport, once opened, will truly be a symbol of the city’s ambitions of becoming a competitive international city, boosting its appeal to tourists, businesses, and investors alike from all over the world.