April 17, 2025, Urumqi — The North Terminal Area of Urumqi Tianshan International Airport officially commenced trial operations today, marking a new phase of development for this core hub of the "Air Silk Road" connecting Asia and Europe. Inspired by the Tianshan Mountains and infused with Silk Road cultural elements, the new terminal area prioritizes intelligence and sustainability, comprehensively enhancing service capabilities and operational efficiency, injecting robust momentum into Xinjiang's high-level opening-up.
As a vital aerial gateway linking Urumqi to the world, the airport's expansion project is monumental in scale. Initiated in 2019 and completed after six years, the project spans 12.62 square kilometers with a total investment of 41.787 billion yuan. It includes a 500,000-square-meter terminal building, two new runways, an apron with 177 aircraft stands, a 93,000-square-meter integrated transportation center, and a 251,000-square-meter parking facility. With the original single runway expanded to three, the airport’s flight zone has been upgraded to 4F (the highest classification), making it China’s 17th 4F airport and the second in Northwest China. The upgraded facility can now handle annual passenger throughput of 48 million, cargo and mail throughput of 550,000 tons, and 367,000 aircraft movements, achieving a qualitative leap in comprehensive support capacity and service standards.
In this globally acclaimed airport construction project, Shanghai Airsafe Airport Equipment Co., Ltd. (Airsafe) played a pivotal role as a participant and witness. Airsafe supplied the North Terminal Area with all airfield ground lighting (AGL) equipment, including runway and taxiway lights, signage, and approach light frangible masts. Specifically, the company delivered:
- Four sets of LED sequential flashing light systems
- Four sets of LED Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) systems
- Nearly 16,000 units of LED runway and taxiway lights
- Nearly 300 units of LED taxiway guidance signage
- Nearly 100 approach light frangible masts
- Supporting isolation transformers and transformer boxes
Airsafe remains committed to serving as a steadfast partner for Urumqi Airport, providing high-quality, responsive technical support and after-sales services to ensure the safe and efficient operation of this critical aviation hub.
