Qingdao's new airport is to open in September this year, landing extra drive for the local economy and expanding the city's international influence.

Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, which broke ground in 2015, is located in Jiaozhou, a city under the administration of Qingdao. It is ranked 4F - the highest level for an international airport, and the same ranking as Beijing Capital International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The new airport is the world's first that features a centralized single building with five corridors, and it has the world's largest single sheet stainless steel roof.

Officials said the design of airport, a starfish-shaped structure, embodies Qingdao's rich ocean culture.

With two runways, which are being built in accordance to the highest international standards, the airport can aid the landing and takeoff of large aircrafts such as the A380. Another two runways, have also been planned for the airport's second phase.

When the two phases are completed by 2045, the airport will be able to serve some 60 million passengers a year, according to airport officials.

Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport is designed to provide a good traveling experience and more convenience for passengers. For example, the maximum walking distance for passengers after the security check will be within 550 meters. And domestic flight transfer times are expected to be within 45 minutes.

The airport will serve as comprehensive transportation hub featuring seamless transfers to public transportation such as high-speed railway, roads, city metro and bus. This will allow passengers to reach the city center of Qingdao within one hour and get to the other major cities on the Jiaodong Peninsula within two hours.

Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport was recognized by the National Development and Reform Commission as one of the country's top five comprehensive passenger transportation hub projects in 2016.

Officials said a concept of environmental protection exists in the entire life circle of the new airport, from preliminary planning, design, construction to operation, so as to achieve the maximum optimization of economic, environmental and social benefits.

During the raining season, the airport can reduce peak flow, control pollution and effectively collect rainwater for reuse. An independent energy center also allows for comprehensive energy efficiency to reach more than 90 percent.

Advanced technologies, such as big data, cloud computing, internet of things and mobile interconnection, have been utilized to build an intelligent airport. Featuring intelligent production, security, management, service and transportation, the new airport aims to provide passengers with the best experience possible, officials said.