The T3 terminal's interior design integrates Lanzhou's cultural heritage, with streamlined skylights evoking imagery of the Desert Silk Road and Yellow River. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

As a major infrastructure project in China's transportation sector, the expansion aims to establish a model airport for Western China. The facility is designed to handle 38 million passengers, 300,000 tons of cargo, and 300,000 aircraft movements annually by 2030. With a 4E flight zone rating, the project has received over 33 billion yuan ($4.58 billion) investment.

The project has garnered significant attention since its inception. To date, the phase-wise quality inspections are progressing smoothly, with the new runway and its navigation systems having passed completion inspection. The successful verification flights mark a crucial step toward the operational launch of this vital transportation hub.