Shengle International Airport positions Hohhot as emerging hub on China’s ‘Air Silk Road’

The successful completion of an on-site verification test flight at Hohhot Shengle International Airport marks a significant step forward in the development of Inner Mongolia’s aviation landscape, paving the way for the official opening of the region’s first 4F-class airport.

The calibration aircraft landed smoothly at Shengle International Airport on Monday, signalling that the facility has progressed from the construction stage into the final phase of operational readiness. As a 4F-class airport – the highest civil aviation standard – the airport is capable of accommodating the world’s largest and most advanced commercial aircraft.

Designed as a major regional aviation hub, Shengle International Airport is positioned as a primary alternative landing site within the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei airport cluster, a Class I international aviation port and a strategic transport node under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Its role is expected to strengthen air connectivity between domestic and international destinations while bridging eastern and western regions of the country.

Hohhot’s strategic importance as a transport crossroads dates back centuries. Historically, the area served as a key passage linking the Central Plains, the northern grasslands and Eurasian trade routes, including the famed Tea Road that once stretched from southern China to Russia.

Today, this legacy is being renewed as Hohhot takes on a modern role connecting China with Mongolia, Russia and Europe.

The architectural design of Shengle International Airport reflects Inner Mongolia’s cultural heritage. The terminal resembles a traditional saddle, symbolising the region’s equestrian culture, while a sweeping 600-metre eave inspired by the khata scarf welcomes arriving passengers.

Skylights modelled after Mongolian yurts allow natural light to fill the terminal, evoking the openness of the grasslands.

Beyond its aesthetics, the airport is built for scale. By 2030, Shengle International Airport is projected to handle 28 million passengers annually, alongside 320,000 tonnes of cargo and mail. By 2050, passenger traffic is expected to reach 65 million.

Looking ahead, the airport plans to expand international routes and enhance transfer services through partnerships with major hubs such as Xi’an and Qingdao, reinforcing its ambition to become a vital gateway on the emerging ‘Air Silk Road’ connecting Eurasia.

-ASEAN FOOD & TRAVEL