On October 18, a significant milestone was reached at Harbin Airport when an A320 aircraft completed a successful test flight on the newly constructed East Runway 2 during the early hours of the morning. This achievement marks Harbin Airport as the first airport in Northeast China to operate with dual runways.
The successful test flight is a critical step following the verification flight and completion acceptance of the East Runway 2, indicating a transition from the construction phase to operational readiness. To facilitate the testing, China Southern Airlines dispatched an A320 aircraft, strategically scheduling the test flight during the early morning hours to avoid disruption to regular flight operations.
After nearly four hours of flight verification, the team assessed various components, including the instrument flight procedures for the East Runway 2, PBN navigation database, navigation facility signals, and the approach lighting system. The entire flight process was smooth, and all performance indicators met industry standards, confirming the runway and its associated facilities are ready for operation.
“The completion of the test flight is a necessary condition for the timely operational launch of East Runway 2. The successful test not only lays a solid foundation for the industry acceptance but also paves the way for the official opening of the runway on January 24, 2025,” stated the head of the Harbin Airport project management team. The Heilongjiang Airport Group is set to apply for industry acceptance from the Northeast Civil Aviation Administration based on the report issued by China Southern Airlines regarding the test flight.
The phase two expansion project of Harbin Airport, which has a total investment of 9.807 billion yuan, includes the construction of a 3,600-meter-long and 45-meter-wide East Runway 2, along with corresponding taxiway systems. It will also include the addition of 90 aircraft parking stands, a 20,000-square-meter cargo terminal, and auxiliary support facilities.
Once fully operational, the expansion will accommodate an annual passenger throughput of 38 million and a cargo volume of 300,000 tons. This development creates favorable conditions for increasing flight frequencies and opening new routes, enhancing operational efficiency and service capabilities. Furthermore, it provides robust support for advancing Harbin’s international aviation hub strategy, facilitating connections across Northeast Asia and to Europe and the United States.
