Construction of the Zhuhai Airport Comprehensive Transportation Hub commenced Nov 30 near the front of the new "Seabird" Terminal II to allow seamless transfers between air, MRT, metro, bus, taxi, and private transportation modes.

Designed with the distinctive shell image of Zhuhai, it will become an urban hub complex that includes a themed hotel along with commercial and office facilities. It is described as a "multi-dimensional, intelligent and efficient, air-land integrated urban hub complex with aerospace characteristics."

Phase I of three calls for the Transportation Hub to be connected to Terminal II, commercial service centers, and reserved check-in service facilities finished in 2024. This would coincide with completion of the seabird-shaped Terminal II.

Rendering of Zhuhai Airport Comprehensive Transportation Hub [Photo courtesy WeChat account: ZACA-group]

The hub is designed with two floors above ground and two underground. The total cost of the project reportedly is 8.05 billion yuan ($1.27 billion). It covers land area of 214,000 sq m (53 acres) and a total construction area of 581,000 sq m (146 acres). 

Visitors taking Zhuhai Airport Urban Rail Transit will have direct access to both terminals via transfer channels. Transport facilities for seamless transfers between long-distance buses and other urban public transportation modes will also be available along with 3,600 parking spaces. An overpass of East Jinhai Road came under construction in front of the proposed hub early this year. 

A 7,000-sqm (1.7-acre) aerospace theme store will feature air show, science fiction, science, e-sports, and local culture, according to Zhuhai Aviation City Airport Construction. Plans are to ensure smooth construction and reduce the impact of high underground water in the rainy season and during typhoons, said Tang Mingcheng of China Construction Second Engineering Bureau.

Provincial and municipal authorities expect the hub to boost the civil aviation industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and contribute to a world-class airport cluster in the Greater Bay Area. Space will be reserved for connection to the Guangzhou-Foshan-Jiangmen-Zhuhai Intercity MRT. It will help Zhuhai become a comprehensive transport hub on the west bank of the Pearl River Estuary.

Zhuhai (Jinwan) Airport is expected to handle 198,000 flights, 27.5 million passengers, and 104,000 tons of cargo and mail annually by 2027.