Yangzhou Taizhou Airport (YTY)

Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport serves central Jiangsu Province as a joint municipal facility owned 80% by Yangzhou and 20% by Taizhou, strategically positioned 30 kilometers from Yangzhou and 20 kilometers from Taizhou near the historic Yangtze River crossing in Jiangdu District. Opened in May 2012 with 2.082 billion yuan investment, this Class 4C international airport achieved remarkable growth to 3.65 million passengers in 2024 (11.76% increase), supported by 12 airlines operating 39 domestic destinations plus international routes to Osaka Kansai and Seoul Incheon.

The airport features comprehensive infrastructure including a 2,400-meter runway with plans for a parallel 3,200-meter facility as part of the massive 5.6 billion yuan second phase expansion commenced in April 2023. The new 97,000-square-meter Terminal 2 will include a 30,000-square-meter transportation center designed to 5A scenic area standards with observation decks and aviation learning facilities, while 36 aircraft stands accommodate growing traffic from carriers including Shenzhen Airlines (135 weekly departures), China Eastern, China Southern, Spring Airlines, and Air China.

Operational characteristics center on domestic connections to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu business corridors, plus cargo operations reaching 12,600 tons annually supporting Yangzhou's manufacturing exports and Taizhou's pharmaceutical industry. The airport's December 2024 designation as a Transit Visa Exemption port enables nationals from 54 countries including USA, UK, Brazil, and Russia to enter China visa-free for up to 240 hours when transiting to third countries, significantly enhancing international connectivity.

Strategic importance encompasses serving the Yangtze River Delta's economic development while preserving cultural heritage through calligraphy signage by former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, a Yangzhou native, bridging ancient Grand Canal culture with modern aviation infrastructure as the facility expands toward 10 million passenger capacity by 2030 and integrates with planned high-speed rail connections serving this historically significant region.