Construction of a new airport traffic control tower at Zhuhai (Jinwan) Airport, to be named the "Pearl of the Sea," commenced on Aug 17. The completed structure is set to be five times the size of the existing one.

The control tower at the airport - located in Zhuhai city in South China's Guangdong province - is expected to be completed by the end of 2024 and begin operating by the end of 2025.

It is seen as providing further assistance in enhancing the airport's comprehensive support capabilities and operational efficiency.

Total investment of the new airport traffic control tower and its support buildings and infrastructure is around 450 million yuan ($62 million). It will have a height of about 81 meters (266 ft) and a total floorage of 19,300 square meters (4.8 acres). 

A rendering of the new airport traffic control tower and its support buildings. [Photo by Zhang Zhou / Guanhai App]

The project includes the main tower, auxiliary buildings, power centers, power distribution system, communications system, as well as firefighting and plumbing systems. Its overall design will incorporate Zhuhai local elements, blending the graceful rhythm of symbolic ocean waves into the towering structure.

Traffic control towers are a crucial facility for airports, often referred to as the "command center" for aircraft take-offs and landings.

The existing tower at Zhuhai (Jinwan) airport - having started construction in 1993 and become operational in 1995 - has now served for nearly three decades. With the continuous increase in the airport's throughput, the upgrading of air traffic support facilities such as the tower has gradually become necessary.

The new tower will be located northwest of the existing one and depending on the situation, the old one may be demolished after a transitional operation period of one to two years.

Zhuhai (Jinwan) Airport has been designated as one of the key backbone airports in Guangdong Province, undertaking the responsibility of meeting the air travel demands of the vast population in the western coastal area of the Pearl River Estuary. 

Currently, major projects such as the airport's expansion, comprehensive transportation hub, and airport hotel are in full swing. 

The erection of the new tower and its support infrastructure at Zhuhai (Jinwan) airport is expected to enhance its comprehensive support capabilities and operational efficiency, according to Zhou Jianjun, the control tower project's executive general manager.

Zhou added that together with surrounding projects - such as the airport expansion and comprehensive transportation hub - it will provide important support for the airport to play its role as an aviation hub on the western bank of the Pearl River Estuary in the Greater Bay Area.

Li Congcong, person in charge of the project, said that after half a month of planning, a full-process and full-cycle BIM information management assessment will be applied during the construction process. 

Meanwhile, other construction techniques - such as intelligent construction systems, 3D scanning, and prefabricated assemblies - will be applied, to ensure that the control tower project is completed in sync with the airport's expansion project.