The Xianyang International Airport of Xi'an, capital of northwest China' Shaanxi Province, will be further expanded to transport 26 million passengers annually, said sources with the provincial development and reform committee.

The airport has been designated as one of the country's six major regional hubs in light of China's ten-year civil aviation development program.

In 2004, the airport handled 6.36 million passengers, up 44.6 percent year-on-year, and it is expected to hit 7.5 million this year, the sources said.

The on-going expansion project includes construction of a runway, aviation control building, and parking apron as well as navigation, electricity and drainage facilities.

The expansion of the airport targets at handling 26 million passengers annually with the term of validity by 2020 and it will be able to take in and send out flights numbering 250,000 annually.

The Xianyang Airport of Xi'an was put into operation in 1991 and was expanded in 1999 for the first time. It currently has an annual handling capacity of 10 million passengers, and cargo and mail turnover of 130,000 tons.
 
(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2005)