Located in Hunan Province, Changsha Huanghua International Airport (CSX) serves as a vital gateway to central China and an increasingly important international transportation hub. As the provincial capital’s primary airport, CSX connects this historical and cultural center to domestic and global destinations while supporting the economic development of the entire region.
CSX History and Development
Changsha Huanghua International Airport’s story begins in the mid-20th century. From 1957 to 1989, Changsha was served by Datuopu Airport, which functioned as a dual-use military and civil facility. However, Datuopu’s limited capacity could only accommodate small aircraft and a handful of flights daily, hampering the region’s connectivity and growth potential.
Recognizing the need for expansion, the Hunan Provincial Government proposed constructing a new airport in October 1984, securing approval from China’s State Council. Construction of Huanghua Airport began in June 1986, and on August 29, 1989, the new facility officially opened, with all civil aviation operations transferring from Datuopu (which reverted to exclusively military use).
The airport’s development continued steadily through the 1990s, but a significant milestone came on October 28, 2000, with the opening of Terminal 1-A. This 34,000-square-meter facility, built at a cost of 40.4 million CNY, increased the airport’s passenger capacity to 4.6 million annually. Subsequent expansions included Terminal 1-B and Terminal 1-C to accommodate growing demand.
Between 2008 and 2011, CSX underwent a major transformation. The original runway (18/36) was lengthened from 2,600 meters to 3,200 meters, and the much larger Terminal 2 was constructed. On July 19, 2011, Terminal 2 opened to the public, significantly enhancing the airport’s capacity and passenger experience.
In 2014, the airport reached another important milestone when China Southern Airlines launched the first intercontinental route from CSX to Frankfurt, Germany, marking Changsha’s entry into the long-haul international market.
Infrastructure development continued with the completion of a second runway in November 2016. This new 3,800-meter by 60-meter Code-4F runway, positioned parallel to the existing one, began operations on March 30, 2017. The addition elevated Huanghua Airport to 4F classification—the highest level for airports—enabling it to accommodate wide-body aircraft including the Airbus A380.
Most recently, a renovated Terminal 1 resumed operations on May 16, 2018, completing the current configuration of the airport.
CSX Quick Facts and Statistics
- IATA/ICAO Codes: CSX/ZGHA
- Location: Huanghua Town, Changsha County, approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) from downtown Changsha
- Elevation: 66 meters (217 feet) above sea level
- Terminals: Two (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2)
- Runways: Two parallel runways
- Runway 18/36: 3,200 meters × 45 meters (10,500 feet × 148 feet)
- Second runway: 3,800 meters × 60 meters (12,470 feet × 197 feet)
- Airport Classification: 4F (highest level, capable of handling wide-body aircraft including A380)
- Annual Passenger Traffic: Over 25 million (as of 2022)
- Ranking: 12th busiest civil airport in China, 2nd busiest in South Central China (after Guangzhou Baiyun), and the busiest in Central China
- Management: Hunan Airport Authority (a publicly owned corporation managing all five airports in Hunan Province)
- Operating Hours: 24 hours
Terminal Facilities
Changsha Huanghua International Airport offers modern facilities across its two terminals, providing passengers with comfortable and convenient travel experiences.
Terminal 1 occupies 32,000 square meters and consists of three concourses (T1-A, T1-B, and T1-C). Originally opened in 2000 and renovated in 2018, it has a designed annual capacity of 6 million passengers. Terminal 1 primarily serves Air China, Shenzhen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Chengdu Airlines, Kunming Airlines, Okay Airways, Joy Air, and Tibet Airlines.
Terminal 2, inaugurated in July 2011, is substantially larger at 212,000 square meters, making it the fifth-largest airport terminal in mainland China when it opened (after Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen). The main building stands 39.9 meters tall, stretches 672 meters in length and 168 meters in depth, and features an impressive single steel-truss structure—the largest of its kind in Hunan Province.
Terminal 2 offers:
- 80 check-in counters and 24 self-check-in kiosks
- 24 security checkpoints
- 22 boarding gates with jet bridges (with the longest passenger walking distance limited to 300 meters)
- Over 6,390 seats throughout the terminal
- 8 baggage carousels (6 for domestic arrivals and 2 for international)
- Areas A and D dedicated to international flights
- Areas B and C serving domestic flights for various airlines
Parking facilities include:
- Indoor parking garage P4 (beneath Terminal 2) with 693 spaces
- Three outdoor parking areas (P1, P2, and P3) providing over 1,000 additional spaces
Both terminals offer a range of passenger amenities:
- Dining options: Various restaurants and cafes serving both Chinese and international cuisine
- Shopping: Retail stores offering local specialties, souvenirs, fashion items, and duty-free goods
- Banking services: ATMs and currency exchange counters
- Business facilities: VIP lounges and business centers
- Medical services: First-aid centers located throughout the terminals
- Information services: Inquiry counters and information desks
- Luggage services: Left luggage facilities and lost & found offices
- Family-friendly facilities: Children’s play areas, nursing rooms, and baby care stations
- Accessibility features: Wheelchair services, designated pathways, and assistance for passengers with reduced mobility
Airlines and Destinations
As a major airport in central China, CSX serves as a hub for several key airlines that have established significant operational bases at the airport. These hub carriers use Changsha as a focal point in their route networks for passenger transfers and operational efficiency.
Airlines that use CSX as a hub:
- China Southern Airlines: Maintains a substantial presence at CSX, operating numerous domestic routes and select international services, including the airport’s first intercontinental route to Frankfurt
- Hainan Airlines: Uses Changsha as an important secondary hub, with flights connecting to major Chinese cities and international destinations
- Okay Airways: Operates a focus city operation at CSX, with growing domestic services
- China Express Airlines: A regional carrier that has developed Changsha as one of its operational bases
These hub carriers connect Changsha to a network of destinations that includes major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, as well as regional destinations throughout Asia. International connections from these airlines include routes to South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and select long-haul destinations.
CSX has steadily expanded its role as a hub airport, particularly focusing on connections to Southeast Asia and East Asia, with growing interest in developing more long-haul services to Europe and beyond. The strategic location of Changsha in central China makes it an ideal connecting point for passengers traveling between northern and southern regions of the country.
Ground Transportation
Changsha Huanghua International Airport offers various transportation options connecting it to downtown Changsha and surrounding areas:
Maglev Train: The Changsha Maglev Express, which opened on May 6, 2016, is one of the airport’s most distinctive transportation features. This medium-low speed magnetic levitation train connects the airport with Changsha South Railway Station in just over 10 minutes, traveling at speeds of up to 120 km/h along the 18.5-kilometer route. The fare is ¥20 (approximately USD 3), and trains operate from 7:00 AM to 10:30 PM daily. The Airport Maglev station is located between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, accessible through a transfer passage at Entry 1 on the departures floor of Terminal 2.
Metro: Line 6 of the Changsha Metro reaches the airport via Huanghua Airport T1 & T2 station, providing an economical option for traveling to the city center.
Airport Shuttle Buses: Several routes connect the airport to various parts of Changsha:
- Airport – Gaoqiao Nandamen – Railway Station
- Airport – Changsha South Railway Station – South Bus Station
- Airport – West Bus Station
- Airport – Changsha Avenue Metro Line 2
Additionally, there are 16 intercity bus routes connecting to surrounding cities like Zhuzhou, Xiangtan, Yiyang, Changde, Yueyang, Pingxiang, and Liuyang.
City Buses:
- Bus 114: Connects the airport to the East Bus Station, Mawangdui Han Tombs, and the Railway Station
- Urban and Rural Public Bus Line 4: Links the airport with Huanglong and Xingsha Bus Station
Taxis: Available at the designated taxi pick-up area (Exit 5 of the Arrivals lobby), with fares to downtown Changsha ranging from ¥80-100 (approximately USD 12-15).
Car Rentals: Several car rental agencies operate at the airport, offering both self-drive and chauffeur services.
High-Speed Rail: The planned Changsha-Ganzhou high-speed railway will include an airport railway station, further enhancing connectivity.
Future Development Plans
Changsha Huanghua International Airport has ambitious expansion plans to meet increasing demand and solidify its position as a major aviation hub in central China.
In 2019, China announced plans for a multi-stage reconstruction project at CSX, with construction initially scheduled to begin in October 2020. The centerpiece of this expansion is the Terminal 3 complex, which will span an impressive 500,000 square meters—more than double the size of the current Terminals 1 and 2 combined.
The development also includes:
- A 285,000-square-meter integrated cargo handling facility
- A third runway measuring 3,600 meters
- Additional taxiways and aprons to support increased aircraft movements
- Enhanced ground transportation infrastructure
This first phase of expansion aims to increase the airport’s capacity to 60 million passengers annually with cargo throughput of 600,000 tons by 2030, representing more than double its current capacity.
Future phases include plans for:
- Terminal 4, to be constructed opposite Terminal 3
- A fourth runway
- An east terminal area located between the second and third runways
- Two tunnels connecting the west area (Terminals 1 & 2) and the east terminals (Terminals 3 & 4)
The ultimate vision for CSX is to develop it into a major international hub with an expected final capacity of 90 million passengers annually, serving as a critical nexus in China’s “four-hour aviation circle” strategy—a plan to enhance connectivity throughout the region. These expansion projects will position Changsha Huanghua International Airport as one of China’s most important aviation centers and strengthen its role as the gateway to central China.
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