Nestled in the heartland of China, Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO) has emerged as a critical transportation nexus for the nation’s central plains region. Located in Xinzheng, approximately 37 kilometers southeast of downtown Zhengzhou, this airport has transformed from humble beginnings into one of China’s most dynamic aviation hubs. Let’s explore the fascinating story of CGO, from its history to its ambitious plans for the future.
CGO History & Development
Zhengzhou’s aviation journey began with Dongjiao Airport, built in 1956 and located on the eastern outskirts of the city. However, as urban development accelerated, the 2,400-meter runway facility became increasingly problematic due to noise pollution, air quality concerns, and safety risks associated with its proximity to dense residential areas.
Recognizing these challenges, Chinese authorities approved a plan in 1992 to construct a new airport in Xuedian Township, Xinzheng. Initially named Zhengzhou Xuedian Airport after its location, construction began in 1993. The facility officially opened on August 28, 1997, featuring a 45,900-square-meter terminal and a 3,400-meter runway with an annual passenger capacity of 3.8 million.
The new airport quickly took over all operations from Dongjiao Airport, which was subsequently demolished to make way for the Zhengdong New Area CBD. In 2000, the State Council approved CGO’s designation as China’s 21st international airport, marking a significant milestone in its development.
Between 2005 and 2007, the original terminal underwent substantial expansion and renovation, reopening on December 29, 2007, as Terminal 1 with 128,000 square meters of space and 14 gates equipped with jet bridges. Its distinctive wave-shaped roof became an architectural hallmark of the facility.
The airport entered a new phase of development in 2013 when the State Council approved a major expansion project aligned with the creation of the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone. This expansion included Terminal 2, a second runway, and a ground traffic center (GTC). Terminal 2 and the GTC opened on December 19, 2015, while the second runway began operations on January 7, 2016, making CGO the first airport in central China with two terminals and two runways.
CGO Quick Facts & Statistics
- IATA Code: CGO (derived from Zhengzhou’s former romanization “Chengchow”)
- ICAO Code: ZHCC
- Opening Date: August 28, 1997
- Distance from City Center: 37 kilometers (23 miles)
- Area: The airport occupies approximately 48 square kilometers
- Runways: Two (12R/30L at 3,400m and 12L/30R with Category II Precision Approach)
- Terminals: Currently two (with Terminal 1 temporarily serving as an exhibition hall)
- Passenger Volume: Ranked as the 12th busiest airport in China with 27.3 million passengers in 2018
- Cargo Traffic: Ranked 7th in China for cargo traffic
- Status: Busiest airport in Central China for both passenger and cargo traffic
- Air Routes: Over 160 routes connecting to 86 cities and areas
- Weekly Flights: More than 1,400 flights weekly
Airlines & Destinations
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport serves as a hub for Cargolux and functions as a focus city for several major Chinese carriers, including:
- China Southern Airlines
- Shenzhen Airlines
- West Air
- Lucky Air
- Donghai Airlines
The airport hosts 54 airlines (42 domestic and 12 international) that operate 201 air routes connecting 109 cities domestically and internationally. China Southern is the largest carrier at the airport, operating approximately 577 scheduled departures weekly.
In a significant development for intercontinental service, Sichuan Airlines launched the airport’s first regular non-stop intercontinental passenger service to Vancouver on November 11, 2016. The following year, Jetstar initiated service to Melbourne on December 6, 2017, marking CGO’s first route to Australia.
Emirates began service to Zhengzhou via Yinchuan in May 2016, providing the airport’s first connection to the Middle East. Additionally, Air Asia China announced plans in 2017 to make CGO its future hub, further enhancing the airport’s international profile.
Facilities
Terminal 2
As the airport’s primary operational terminal, Terminal 2 features an innovative X-shaped layout with four concourses. The northwest concourse handles international flights, while the other sections serve domestic operations. The terminal spans four levels plus two underground floors:
- First Floor: Luggage management and VIP lounges
- Second Floor: Arrivals
- Third Floor: Commercial zone and check-in counters
- Fourth Floor: Access to boarding gates
The terminal’s design capacity can accommodate up to 29 million passengers annually.
Ground Transportation Center (GTC)
The GTC, which opened alongside Terminal 2 in December 2015, serves as a comprehensive transportation hub connecting the airport with cities throughout the central plains region. Located west of Terminal 2 and connected to the arrival hall by three corridors, the GTC features:
- An intercity train station
- A metro station
- Taxi services
- Intercity coach services
Additional Facilities
- Control Tower: A 93.5-meter tall structure resembling the Jiahu Gudi (bone flute) discovered in Henan, put into service on January 7, 2016
- VIP Lounges: Including the Golden Century VIP Lounge (operating 6:30 AM to 10:30 PM) and First Class Lounges (7:00 AM to 10:00 PM)
- Luggage Services: 24-hour luggage storage with various pricing tiers based on size
- Currency Exchange: Branch of China Bank of Communications in Terminal 1, operating 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
- Luggage Wrapping: Available at multiple service counters for ¥10 per bag
- Free Luggage Carts: Available throughout the airport with a 120 kg maximum capacity
Ground Transportation
Rail
The airport benefits from excellent rail connectivity:
- Zhengzhou–Xinzheng Airport Intercity Railway: Began operations on December 31, 2015, providing express service to downtown Zhengzhou
- Zhengzhou Metro Chengjiao Line: Opened on January 12, 2017, connecting the airport to downtown Zhengzhou with through services via Line 2
- Xinzheng Airport Railway Station: Located within the GTC with waiting halls and ticket offices on the B2 floor and platforms on the B3 floor
- Intercity Connections: Trains operate to Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou East, Jiaozuo, and Songchenglu (Kaifeng)
Road
- Elevated Road: The 1.48-kilometer Yingbin Elevated Road connects the airport to S1 and G4 expressways
- Airport Shuttle Buses: Multiple routes to various Zhengzhou destinations
- Intercity Coaches: Services to numerous cities in the central plains region, including Luoyang, Kaifeng, Xuchang, Xinxiang, and others
- Taxis: 24-hour service with fares of approximately ¥90-120 to Zhengzhou Railway Station and ¥80-100 to East Railway Station
The Future of CGO
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport is positioned for dramatic expansion in the coming years. In February 2020, a consortium led by Landrum & Brown won an international competition for the airport’s Terminal Area Planning and Terminal 3 Concept Design, signaling the next major phase of development.
The ambitious long-term vision for CGO is truly impressive. By 2035, the airport plans to feature:
- Five runways
- Three cargo zones
- Capacity to serve 100 million passengers annually
- Ability to handle 5 million tons of cargo per year
A significant step in this expansion occurred recently with the opening of a new 160,000-square-meter cargo terminal, which added 600,000 tons of freight capacity and brought the airport’s total air cargo capacity to 1.1 million tons.
The airport’s development is closely aligned with the 415-square-kilometer Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone (ZAEZ), established by China’s State Council in March 2013 as a national strategy to foster global integration and economic transformation. The ZAEZ represents China’s first comprehensively planned, purposely built aerotropolis, with CGO serving as its driving force.
CGO’s strategic location at the geographic center of China’s population provides airlines with the shortest average flight times to major domestic markets, with three-fifths of destinations reachable in less than 90 minutes and 90 percent of the Chinese population accessible within 150 minutes.
A Rising Star in China’s Aviation Landscape
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport has transformed itself from a modest regional facility into a thriving international gateway. Its passenger numbers have grown steadily, allowing it to surpass both Wuhan Tianhe International Airport and Changsha Huanghua International Airport in 2017 to become central China’s busiest airport for both passenger and cargo traffic.
The airport’s strategic importance continues to grow, particularly in cargo operations. After Foxconn established its main iPhone production base just north of the airport in 2010, CGO’s cargo transport boomed. Between 2010 and 2017, cargo volume skyrocketed from 85,798 to 502,714 metric tonnes, representing an average annual growth of 34 percent.
With its ambitious expansion plans, strategic location, and integration with the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, CGO is positioned to play an increasingly pivotal role in China’s aviation network and economic development strategy in the coming decades.
Keyword: TopAirports