On February 25, the Gansu Provincial Development and Reform Commission announced that, to ensure the smooth convening of the first Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo, improve Dunhuang Airport's en-route diversion support capability, and promote the economic and social development of Dunhuang City, the feasibility study report for the Dunhuang Airport expansion project was recently approved, and the project is about to start construction.

It is understood that the Dunhuang Airport expansion project involves a total investment of 976 million yuan. The current phase of the project is designed to meet the target of 960,000 passenger throughput and 1,700 tons of cargo and mail throughput by 2025. The airfield area classification index is 4D, and it will also be able to accommodate diversion of Category E aircraft. The main construction content includes: extending the existing runway eastward by 600 meters to 3,400 meters; expanding the apron to 21 stands (3B15C3D); building a new 10,400-square-meter T3 terminal building (including a 200-square-meter fire pump room); converting the existing T2 terminal building into an international departure terminal; upgrading and renovating communications, navigation, and navigational lighting facilities; and constructing supporting facilities such as airport cargo, production and living support, fire rescue, water supply, and power supply. The terminal building works of the Dunhuang Airport expansion project are planned to be completed and put into operation by the end of August, and the airfield area works will be fully completed next year.

The implementation of the Dunhuang Airport expansion project will greatly enhance its en-route diversion support capability, promote the economic and social development of Dunhuang City, and provide support for the smooth convening of the first Silk Road (Dunhuang) International Cultural Expo. Next, the Provincial Development and Reform Commission will actively urge the project legal person to complete the preliminary design of the Dunhuang Airport expansion project as soon as possible, actively cooperate with the Northwest Regional Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China to complete the approval of the project's preliminary design, and ensure that the project is completed and put into operation as soon as possible.