062. Wuhan Tianha Airport (WUH)

WUH

Wuhan Tianhe International Airport (WUH) has a relatively young but dynamic history compared to some of China’s other major airports. The airport’s story began when the Chinese government approved plans to build a commercial airport in Tianhe Town, Huangpi District on July 1, 1985. This new facility was intended to replace the aging Wangjiadun Airport and the larger international Nanhu Airport, which could no longer handle the growing air traffic.

Construction on the new airport began in December 1989, with the first phase completed in April 1994. Wuhan Tianhe International Airport officially opened on April 15, 1995, marking a significant milestone in the city’s transportation infrastructure. On the same day that Tianhe opened, Nanhu Airport closed its operations, with any passengers still waiting at Nanhu immediately transported by bus to the new facility. The former Wangjiadun Airport remained open, primarily for military operations, until its closure and demolition in 2007.

In its early years, Tianhe primarily served domestic routes. It wasn’t until 1992 that Wuhan saw its first international flight, with the opening of the Wuhan-Vientiane route on October 31, 1992. The airport was officially designated as an international airport in 2000 by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), expanding its role in connecting Wuhan to the world.

The airport has undergone two major expansions since its opening. The first expansion centered around Terminal 2, which opened on April 15, 2008, after a significant investment of 3.37 billion yuan (approximately 421.5 million USD). This new terminal, with its 121,200 square meters of floor space, was designed to handle 13 million passengers and 320,000 tons of cargo annually.

The second major expansion began in June 2013 with the construction of Terminal 3, which opened on August 31, 2017. This expansion also included a new runway, a new control tower, and a transportation hub connecting the airport to the city through both an intercity railway and a metro line. With the opening of Terminal 3, Terminal 2 was temporarily closed for renovation, only reopening in April 2024.

Another significant milestone in the airport’s history was the commencement of intercontinental flights. Air France began service from Paris on April 11, 2012, marking Wuhan’s first direct connection to Europe. Two years later, in September 2014, China Southern Airlines announced a daily non-stop flight to San Francisco, originating from Guangzhou, which began operating on December 16, 2014, using a Boeing 787. This established Wuhan’s first direct air link to the United States.

WUH Quick Facts and Statistics

  • IATA Code: WUH
  • ICAO Code: ZHHH
  • Location: Huangpi District, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
  • Distance from City Center: Approximately 26 km (16 miles) north of downtown Wuhan
  • Opening Date: April 15, 1995
  • Airport Size: Covers an area of 4,277 hectares
  • Runways: Two runways:
    • Runway East (18/36): 3,600 meters (11,811 feet) long, 60 meters (197 feet) wide
    • Runway West (04/22): 3,400 meters (11,155 feet) long, 45 meters (148 feet) wide
  • Aircraft Parking Stands: 117
  • Rating: Grade 4F (capable of handling large aircraft like Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A380)
  • Passenger Capacity: 35 million annual passengers
  • Cargo Capacity: 440,000 tons annually
  • Passenger Traffic: Over 20 million passengers in 2016, ranking it the 14th busiest airport in China
  • Regional Significance: Busiest airport in central China
  • Name Meaning: “Tianhe” (??) can be translated as “Sky River” and is also one of the names for the Milky Way in ancient Chinese

Terminal Facilities

Terminal 3

Terminal 3, which opened in 2017, is currently the main terminal at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport. This modern facility spans nearly 495,000 square meters across five floors and serves both domestic and international flights.

The terminal’s layout is designed for efficiency and passenger convenience. The fourth floor houses the departure hall with check-in counters, the third floor contains arrivals, the second floor features baggage claim and customs, and the ground level provides access to transportation options. A fifth floor includes additional services and amenities.

Terminal 3 offers extensive dining and shopping options. Food choices range from Chinese cuisine to Western fast food, with establishments including McDonald’s, KFC, and Starbucks. For shopping, passengers can browse through duty-free shops in the international departures area and various retail outlets throughout the terminal.

Other amenities in Terminal 3 include free Wi-Fi throughout the building, multiple lounges for premium passengers, currency exchange services, ATMs, and information counters. The terminal also features nursing rooms, smoking areas, and medical facilities for emergencies.

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 served as the main terminal for domestic flights at Tianhe Airport from 2008 to 2017. Following the opening of Terminal 3, it was closed for renovations and only recently reopened on April 15, 2024. With 121,200 square meters of floor space, this terminal was designed to handle up to 13 million passengers annually.

While Terminal 2 previously handled only domestic flights, its current role after reopening is to complement Terminal 3 and help manage the increasing passenger traffic at the airport.

International Terminal (Former Terminal 1)

The International Terminal operated from December 2010 to 2017, handling all international flights as well as flights to Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. After the closure of the original Terminal 1 in 2010, this facility was sometimes informally referred to as “T1” by passengers.

With the opening of Terminal 3, which can accommodate both domestic and international flights, the International Terminal’s functions were integrated into the newer facility.

Airlines and Routes

Wuhan Tianhe International Airport serves as a major hub for several Chinese airlines and hosts flights from numerous international carriers. The airport is a hub for China Southern Airlines and acts as a focus city for both Air China and China Eastern Airlines.

Hub Airlines

  • China Southern Airlines: Uses Wuhan as a major hub for its domestic and international operations
  • China Eastern Airlines: Maintains significant operations at Wuhan as a focus city
  • Air China: Operates Wuhan as a focus city within its network

Major Carriers

Wuhan Tianhe is served by approximately 36 airlines connecting the city to destinations across China and around the world. Major carriers operating at the airport include:

International Carriers

International airlines serving Wuhan include:

Route Network

Wuhan Tianhe International Airport offers an extensive network of both domestic and international routes:

  • Domestic Destinations: The airport serves flights to 115 destinations with approximately 40 airlines. The busiest domestic routes connect Wuhan to cities like Kunming, Guangzhou, Beijing, Chengdu, Haikou, Qingdao, Shenzhen, and Chongqing.
  • International Destinations: Wuhan offers direct flights to destinations in Asia, Europe, North America, Africa, and beyond. Major international destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, Maldives, Dubai, Rome, Moscow, Kuala Lumpur, Paris, and San Francisco.
  • Longest Routes: The longest flight from Wuhan is to San Francisco (SFO), taking approximately 12 hours, followed by the route to London Heathrow (LHR), which takes around 11 hours and 40 minutes.
  • Visa-Free Transit: Passengers from 54 countries, including the USA, Russia, United Kingdom, France, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, can enjoy up to 240 hours of visa-free transit when transferring through Wuhan Tianhe International Airport to another international destination.

Ground Transportation

Wuhan Tianhe International Airport is well-connected to the city through various transportation options, providing convenient access for travelers.

Metro

The most recommended public transport option is Metro Line 2, which directly connects to the airport’s Terminal 3:

  • Station Name: Tianhe International Airport Station (?????)
  • Location: B1 floor of the Ground Traffic Center, adjacent to Terminal 3
  • Metro Platform: Located on the B2 floor of the Ground Traffic Center
  • Journey Time: The metro provides a convenient connection to downtown Wuhan, with trains running frequently throughout the day
  • Process for Departing Passengers: After arriving at the metro station, passengers take an escalator to the B1 floor, exit at Exit C, take an elevator to the 2nd level (arrivals hall), and then an escalator to the 4th level (departures hall), a process taking approximately 5-7 minutes
  • Process for Arriving Passengers: After claiming baggage on the 2nd level, passengers take an elevator to the B1 floor, purchase a metro ticket, check in at entrance C, and take an escalator to the B2 floor where the metro platforms are located

Airport Railway

The Wuhan-Xiaogan Intercity Railway, part of the Wuhan Metropolitan Area intercity railway system, serves the airport:

  • Station Location: The Tianhe Airport Railway Station is located beneath the Airport Transportation Center
  • Connections: The journey to Hankou Railway Station takes only 14 minutes
  • Costs: CNY7 for a second-class seat and CNY8 for a first-class seat
  • Extended Routes: Trains to Xiaogan Railway Station take around 30 minutes, costing CNY13 for a second-class seat and CNY16 for a first-class seat

Airport Buses

Several bus routes connect the airport to different parts of Wuhan:

  • Bus Location: Located outside the terminal buildings
  • Routes: Multiple routes serving various districts and key locations within Wuhan
  • Operating Hours: Services typically begin early in the morning and continue until late evening
  • Costs: Fares vary depending on the destination but are generally affordable

Expressways

Two tolled expressways provide direct road connections to downtown Wuhan:

  • S18 Wuhan Airport Expressway: The primary road connection to the city
  • S19 Wuhan Airport 2nd Expressway: An alternative route connecting the airport to downtown Hankou

Taxis

Taxi services are readily available at the airport:

  • Location: Taxi stands are located outside the terminal buildings
  • Costs: A taxi ride to downtown Wuhan costs approximately 180 yuan (about 30 USD), though this represents the upper limit as it’s for travel to the opposite side of the city
  • Journey Time: Depending on traffic and your destination within Wuhan, taxi journeys typically take 30-60 minutes

Future Development Plans

Wuhan Tianhe International Airport has ambitious plans for future expansion to meet the growing demand for air travel in central China.

2019-2025 Development Plan

According to the 2019-2025 development plan issued by the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission, the airport will undergo significant expansion:

  • Fourth Terminal: Construction of a new passenger terminal to increase capacity
  • Satellite Terminal: Development of a satellite terminal to complement the existing facilities
  • Third Runway: Addition of a third runway to handle increased aircraft movements
  • Supporting Infrastructure: Enhancements to ground transportation, cargo facilities, and other support systems

Regional Aviation Development

Wuhan’s aviation landscape is evolving beyond just Tianhe International Airport:

  • Ezhou Huahu International Airport: Located in the nearby city of Ezhou, this facility provides additional aviation capacity for the broader Wuhan metropolitan area
  • Wuhan Hannan General Airport: Serves general aviation needs but not commercial passenger flights
  • Potential Shanpo Airfield Conversion: In the early 2010s, city authorities considered repurposing the military Shanpo Airfield in Jiangxia District as a commercial cargo airport, potentially creating a second air cargo hub for Wuhan

Terminal 2 Revitalization

With Terminal 2’s reopening in April 2024 after a seven-year closure for renovations, the airport has increased its operational capacity. The revitalized terminal will work in tandem with Terminal 3 to accommodate growing passenger numbers and enhance the overall airport experience.

Cargo Development

Wuhan Tianhe is strengthening its position as a critical cargo hub in central China:

  • Capacity Enhancement: Plans to increase cargo-handling capacity beyond the current 440,000 tons annually
  • International Cargo Routes: Expansion of international cargo connections to major global logistics centers
  • Facilities Upgrade: Modernization of cargo handling facilities to improve efficiency and capacity

As Wuhan continues to grow as a major economic center in central China, Tianhe International Airport will play an increasingly vital role in connecting this dynamic city to the rest of China and the world. With its strategic location and ambitious expansion plans, the airport is well-positioned to serve as the aviation gateway to central China for decades to come.

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