New airport near China-Russia border

Construction of a new civilian airport has started on China’s border with Russia in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, authorities said Wednesday.

With an estimated budget of 1.15 billion yuan ($174 million), the construction of the Dongning Airport has started in the border city of Suifenhe.

Covering around two square kilometers, the regional airport is designed to handle 450,000 passengers and 3,600 tons of cargo annually, allowing nearly 4,800 aircraft movements a year, according to the authorities.

Direct flights are planned from the airport to cities such as Beijing and Shenyang, Northwest China’s Liaoning Province, and international flights are also planned connecting the city to Russia.