Hefei Xinqiao International Airport

Hefei Xinqiao International Airport
source
Name	Hefei Xinqiao International Airport
Native name	合肥新桥国际机场
Iata	HFE
Icao	ZSOF
Type	Public
City served	Hefei
Location	Shuanggang, Changfeng County, Anhui
Opened	2013
Elevation m	24

Contents

Overview
History
Facilities and terminals
Airlines and destinations
Ground transportation
Statistics
Future development and expansion plans

Hefei Xinqiao International Airport is the primary civil aviation gateway serving Hefei and the Anhui province in the People's Republic of China. It replaced the older Hefei Luogang Airport to accommodate rising passenger demand linked to Anhui's economic development and regional connectivity initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone. The airport functions as a hub for domestic carriers and a growing number of international routes connecting to East Asia, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

Overview

Hefei Xinqiao International Airport serves the prefecture-level city of Hefei and the surrounding Anhui municipalities including Wuhu, Bengbu, Ma'anshan, and Huaibei. The site is located near Changfeng County and Feixi County, positioned to support transport corridors toward Nanjing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and the provincial capital networks tied to Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway corridors and regional airports such as Nanjing Lukou International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The airport is administered under civil aviation authorities connected to the Civil Aviation Administration of China while cooperating with carriers like Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, and growing low-cost operators.

History

Plans for a new airport emerged amid Anhui’s post-2000 economic stimulus policies and infrastructure investment programs inspired by national strategies under leaders like Deng Xiaoping and later administrations endorsing regional integration. Groundbreaking occurred after feasibility studies involving firms and agencies such as the National Development and Reform Commission and provincial authorities of Anhui Province. Construction was completed in phases leading to the opening in 2013, supplanting Hefei Luogang Airport which had served the city since the late 20th century. Since opening, the airport has witnessed route inaugurations linked with carriers including Shenzhen Airlines, Lucky Air, Juneyao Airlines, XiamenAir, Spring Airlines and international services with links to Seoul, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Singapore routes promoted during diplomatic exchanges like the China–ASEAN Summit and business missions to Germany and France.

Facilities and terminals

The airport complex comprises a main passenger terminal, multiple aprons, and a runway system designed per International Civil Aviation Organization specifications. Terminal facilities support airbridges, VIP lounges, customs, immigration zones for international arrivals, and cargo processing centers handling freight for clients such as Alibaba Group, Suning.com, SF Express, JD.com and logistics integrators like DHL and FedEx. Ground services coordinate with navigation systems overseen by entities akin to the Civil Aviation University of China and employ safety standards paralleling those of Beijing Capital International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport. The airfield includes passenger amenities comparable to regional hubs like Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Xi'an Xianyang International Airport.

Airlines and destinations

Ground transportation

Surface access integrates highway links to the G3 Beijing–Taipei Expressway network and regional expressways serving Hefei South Railway Station and urban transit planning tied to the Hefei Metro project. Bus services include airport shuttles to downtown Hefei, intercity coaches to Wuhu and Anqing, and taxi and ride-hailing services operated under municipal regulations comparable to those in Shanghai and Beijing. Proposed multimodal connectivity envisions integration with high-speed rail nodes like Hefei South railway station on the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway and feeder routes connecting with major ports such as Nanjing Port.

Statistics

Since opening, passenger throughput has shown rapid growth, reflecting trends seen in provincial capitals across China such as Nanjing, Hangzhou, and Wuhan. Annual passenger numbers reached milestones comparable to medium-sized hubs like Changsha Huanghua International Airport and Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport before stabilizing. Cargo volumes have expanded in line with e-commerce giants Alibaba Group and logistics firms Cainiao and SF Express. Aircraft movements demonstrate seasonal peaks during national holidays including Chinese New Year and the Golden Week periods.

Future development and expansion plans

Planned expansions reference phased runway additions, satellite concourse development, upgraded cargo terminals, and enhanced ground links reflecting ambitions akin to expansions at Beijing Daxing International Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Strategic cooperation with economic zones like the Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone, investment by provincial authorities of Anhui Province, and partnerships with carriers including Air China and China Southern Airlines aim to increase international connectivity to destinations in Europe, Africa, and North America. Proposals include airfreight logistics parks modeled after facilities at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and technology integration inspired by smart airport pilots at Changi Airport, targeting sustainability standards promoted by international bodies such as the International Air Transport Association.

Category:Airports in Anhui