Jinan is committed to establishing itself as an international aviation hub, aiming to boost economic growth and expand its global reach.

Aviation hubs are built on strong infrastructure. The second phase of Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport's expansion commenced in 2022, and is expected to start operation in 2026.

Upon completion, the upgraded airport will allow simultaneous operation of three runways and feature a terminal of about 800,000 square meters, serving over 10 surrounding cities. Passenger handling capacity will increase to 55 million annually, while cargo and mail handling is expected to reach 520,000 metric tons.

Connectivity is the lifeline of an aviation hub. Since early 2024, Jinan's airport has been expanding passenger and freight networks. It now operates 208 routes connecting 120 domestic and international cities. In 2024, passenger handling exceeded 20 million while cargo and mail handling hit 153,600 tons.

The airport's growth is fueling the rise of the Jinan Airport Economic Zone, which is home to industries such as aviation logistics, aircraft maintenance, and cross-border e-commerce. In the future, Jinan aims to attract more aviation logistics providers and high-end manufacturers to the zone by leveraging leading enterprises, optimizing port functions, and introducing preferential policies.

Jinan's hub strategy is advancing on three levels. Within Shandong province, it provides one-hour airport access connecting cities such as Dezhou, Zibo and Binzhou. At the national level, the airport strengthens route connectivity and transfer services with key hubs in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions.

Internationally, Jinan is expanding cargo routes to export Shandong's quality products, import overseas goods, and enhance air transport cooperation with global partners, harnessing the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport. [Photo/WeChat account: jinanxuanchuan]