0

June 23, 2007 -- Starting this year, five airports in Shaanxi province will see investments totaling 10 billion yuan (US$1.3 billion).

According to the Bureau of Administration of Civil Flight in Northwest China, the funding shall come from the Central Government of Shaanxi Municipality, the Civil Flight Agency and the Western Airport Corporation.

The enlargement of Xianyang International Airport is the crux of the renovations, which will cost more than 7.6 billion yuan (US$1 billion). By 2020 it is expected to be able to handle 26 million passengers annually and at peak times it will be serving over 9500 passengers every hour.

The improvements will include putting up a third terminal which will cover a total of 170,000 square meters with a 3.9 kilometer long runway.

In addition, four other local airports - Yulin, Hanzhong, Yanan, and Ankang - will see improvements. When completed they will able to receive Boeing 737 planes for landing.