Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) has emerged as a critical transportation hub in eastern China since its inception in the mid-1990s. The airport’s development began in February 1995, with construction progressing rapidly to meet the growing demands of China’s expanding aviation sector. On July 1, 1997—coinciding with Hong Kong’s return to Chinese governance—Nanjing Lukou International Airport officially opened its doors to air traffic. Just a few months later, on November 18, 1997, the State Council of China approved the facility to receive international flights, marking its transition to a truly global gateway.
The airport’s early years saw steady growth, eventually reaching a milestone in 2009 when it handled 10 million passengers. This growth trajectory continued, and by 2013, passenger numbers had surpassed 15 million, exceeding the terminal’s original operational capacity by 3 million travelers. This surge in traffic necessitated expansion, leading to a significant development phase.
In preparation for the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics hosted by Nanjing, a major expansion project was completed that included Terminal 2, a new parallel runway with associated taxiways, a new control tower, additional aircraft parking positions, and enhanced cargo handling facilities. Terminal 1 was subsequently closed on July 14, 2014, for comprehensive renovations and reopened on July 29, 2020. Today, it primarily serves domestic flights, with the exception of China Eastern Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines operations, which depart exclusively from Terminal 2.
NKG Quick Facts and Statistics
- IATA Code: NKG
- ICAO Code: ZSNJ
- Location: Lukou Town, Jiangning District, approximately 35-38 km south of downtown Nanjing
- Opening Date: July 1, 1997
- Area: 425,000 square meters
- Terminals: Two passenger terminals (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2)
- Runways: Two parallel runways, each 3,600 meters (11,811 feet) long
- Classification: 4F airport (capable of accommodating the largest commercial aircraft, including the Airbus A380)
- Annual Passenger Capacity: Approximately 30 million
- Actual Passenger Traffic: Handled 30.58 million passengers in 2019 (pre-pandemic)
- Ranking: 11th busiest airport in China (as of 2019)
- Daily Flights: The airport operates over 200 flights daily (approximately 150 domestic and 50 international)
- All-Time High Flight Operations: 702 operated flights on July 15, 2024
- Cargo Handling: 374,000 tons in 2017, ranking it 10th in China for freight
Terminal Facilities
Terminal 1, recently renovated and reopened in 2020, serves the majority of domestic flights at Nanjing Lukou International Airport. With a floor space of 160,000 square meters, the terminal features 80 check-in counters and 33 security lanes spread across three floors. The first floor houses the arrivals and transfer hall, while the third floor is dedicated to departures. This terminal primarily serves domestic airlines with the notable exceptions of China Eastern Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines.
Terminal 2, completed in 2014 as part of the airport’s expansion ahead of the Youth Olympics, handles both domestic and international traffic. This modern facility consists of four floors—one underground and three above ground—with the underground level connecting directly to Nanjing Metro Line S1. The first floor is dedicated to arrivals, while the second and third floors accommodate departures. Terminal 2 serves all international flights and select domestic flights, including all China Eastern Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines operations. Located approximately 500 meters south of Terminal 1, it houses premium lounges and enhanced shopping facilities.
The two terminals are connected by a transportation center structure, allowing passengers to move efficiently between facilities. This integrated approach enhances the passenger experience and supports smooth airport operations.
Airport Amenities and Services
Nanjing Lukou International Airport offers a comprehensive range of amenities and services designed to enhance the passenger experience. Dining options vary from fast food establishments like KFC, McDonald’s, and Starbucks to traditional Chinese cuisine and local Nanjing specialties. Shoppers can browse through duty-free stores in the international areas offering goods from leading global brands, visit bookstores located throughout the terminals, or pick up travel essentials at convenience stores.
For premium travelers, VIP lounges and first class/business lounges are available in both terminals. The airport also provides essential services including medical centers offering free consultations and blood pressure measurement, ambulance services when needed, and banking facilities with branches of Bank of China and China Construction Bank. ATMs are conveniently located throughout the terminal buildings, and passengers can access free Wi-Fi (requiring real-name authentication).
Additional passenger services include information desks with multilingual staff, luggage storage facilities, entertainment options such as a foot massage center, and mobile phone charging stations. The airport also offers special services including 240-hour Visa-Free Transit for citizens from 54 countries (allowing travel in Nanjing without a visa for up to 10 days), the five-star Pullman Nanjing Lukou Airport Hotel connected to the airport, childcare rooms for traveling families, prayer rooms for religious observance, wheelchair services for passengers with reduced mobility, lost and found offices, and car rental services.
Airlines and Destinations
Nanjing Lukou International Airport serves as a hub for several airlines and offers connections to an extensive network of domestic and international destinations. Major carriers operating at NKG include Air China (the national flag carrier offering connections throughout China and beyond), China Eastern Airlines (which uses NKG as a focus city with extensive domestic and international services), and China Southern Airlines (one of China’s “Big Three” airlines with a significant presence). Shenzhen Airlines operates exclusively from Terminal 2, while China Postal Airlines uses NKG as its main base for cargo operations. Both Beijing Capital Airlines and Air Travel have established bases at the airport. International carriers serving NKG include Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Air Asia, among others.
The airport’s route network encompasses over 135 cities across China and extends to 23 international destinations. Asian connections include Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Macau, while European service includes Frankfurt (operated by Lufthansa). North American destinations include Los Angeles, and there are regular services to Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions. The airport’s strategic location in eastern China makes it an important alternative to the busy Shanghai airports (Hongqiao and Pudong), often serving as a relief airport during periods of congestion or adverse weather conditions.
Ground Transportation
Nanjing Lukou International Airport offers multiple transportation options connecting it to Nanjing city center and surrounding regions. Line S1 of the Nanjing Metro provides direct service between the airport and Nanjing South Railway Station, with a travel time of approximately 35-40 minutes. The line covers eight stations along its 35.8-kilometer route and is located on the underground floor of Terminal 2, with easy access from Terminal 1. This metro connection also offers transfers to other lines for reaching downtown Nanjing.
Airport shuttle buses provide additional public transportation options. Line 1 operates from 30 minutes after the first landing until the last landing of the day, with stops at Yuhua Square, Qinhong Bridge, Xihuamen, and Nanjing Railway Station. Line 2 runs from 9:30 to 22:30, stopping at Cuipingshan Hotel, Nanjing South Railway Station, and Zhonghuamen Subway Station. Both lines maintain maximum intervals of 30 minutes between buses. Additional services include routes from Nanjing South Railway Station (operating from 6:00-21:00 every 20 minutes) and from Nanjing Railway Station East Square (running from 5:40-21:00 every 20 minutes).
For travelers headed to neighboring cities, regional shuttle services connect the airport to nearby cities in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces, including Yangzhou, Wuxi, Changzhou, Chuzhou, and Wuhu, with schedules coordinated with flight arrivals and departures. Taxis are readily available at both terminals, with travel time to downtown Nanjing taking approximately 60-90 minutes depending on traffic. Fares are metered with additional charges during peak hours (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM), and a complaints hotline is available for passenger protection.
For those arriving by private vehicle, the airport is accessed by Konggang Road, which connects to the Airport Expressway (part of S55 Ningxuan Expressway). This 29-kilometer expressway links to major regional highways including the Nanjing-Shanghai, Nanjing-Hangzhou, Nanjing-Nantong, Nanjing-Dalian, and Nanjing-Ma’anshan Expressways. Parking facilities include a public car park with over 1,800 spaces in a 30,000 square meter area, with 24-hour service available in designated areas, and a VIP car park with approximately 100 spaces located adjacent to the terminal building.
Cargo Operations
Nanjing Lukou International Airport serves as a vital cargo hub for eastern China. It functions as the main base for China Postal Airlines, handling express mail and cargo throughout China. Adjacent to the airport is the China Post express logistics center, completed in 2009, which, when fully implemented, will be the largest such facility in Asia and the third-largest globally.
The airport maintains regular international cargo flights to destinations including Los Angeles, Chicago, Amsterdam, Bangkok, Seoul, Singapore, Moscow, and Malmo. It also operates Special Administrative Region cargo flights to Hong Kong and maintains a Nanjing-Macau-Taipei route. Additionally, non-scheduled chartered cargo flights serve various international destinations. In 2017, the airport achieved a cargo throughput of 374,000 tons, ranking it 10th in China for freight handling, with a designed capacity to handle up to 750,000 tons of cargo annually.
Future Development Plans
Nanjing Lukou International Airport continues to evolve with ambitious plans to enhance its capacity and service offerings. Following the completion of Terminal 2 and the second runway, the airport has seen significant increases in both passenger numbers and aircraft movements. In November 2014, authorities approved an increase in peak-hour flight volume from 28 to 38 flights per hour. This optimization of air traffic patterns has allowed for substantial growth in operations, with the airport handling 19 million passengers in 2015—representing a 17.7% increase compared to 2014. This growth continued into 2016, with the first two months showing a 16.9% increase in aircraft movements and a 21.2% increase in passenger numbers year-over-year.
Infrastructure improvements remain ongoing, with continuous enhancements to terminal facilities and passenger services, development of cargo handling capabilities, expansion of international routes, and strengthening of the airport’s role as an alternative to Shanghai’s airports. The airport is also focused on integration with regional transportation networks and implementation of enhanced technology for improved passenger processing.
Strategically, the airport’s development aligns with Nanjing’s growing importance as a major economic center in the Yangtze River Delta region. It is positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for both passenger and cargo services in eastern China, with a continued focus on improving connections to international markets, particularly in Asia, Europe, and North America. The airport is also enhancing its role as a critical component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. With its strategic location and ongoing development, Nanjing Lukou International Airport is well-equipped to meet the growing demands of both domestic and international travelers while supporting the economic development of Nanjing and the broader Jiangsu Province.
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