Yibin Caiba Airport

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Yibin Caiba Airport (Chinese: 宜宾菜坝机场) (IATA: YBP, ICAO: ZUYB) is a dual-use military and civil airport serving the city of Yibin in southern Sichuan Province of China. Located in the town of Caiba in Cuiping District, the airport was expanded twice, in 1991 and 1993.

Overview

Yibin Caiba Airport (IATA: YBP, ICAO: ZUYB), located in Caiba Town, Northwest of Yibin City in Sichuan Province, China, is a civil and military dual-use airport. Established in 1992, it served as an important air gateway for southern Sichuan. The airport closed on December 5, 2019, following the opening of Yibin Wuliangye Airport (宜宾五粮液机场).

History

Construction and Development

Yibin Caiba Airport traces its origins to the Anti-Japanese War period, initially built as a military airfield. In the early 1990s, to support economic development and improve connectivity, the airport was transformed into a dual-use civilian and military airport. The expansion of the airfield began in 1991 and 1993, during which the airport was upgraded to a 4C level airport, featuring an ILS (Instrument Landing System). The airport’s runway was extended to 2200 meters in length and 45 meters in width.

In December 1992, Yibin Airport opened to commercial flights, with Sichuan Airlines (四川航空公司) operating the first flight from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport to Yibin. The airport quickly became an essential transportation hub, connecting Yibin to major cities across China. By 2017, the airport had handled over 820,000 passengers.

Key Milestones

• 1992: Yibin Airport officially opened for civilian operations on December 26, 1992, after rapid construction on a former military helicopter training base.
• 1993-1994: The airport underwent further expansions, including a runway upgrade and the addition of more facilities.
• 2016: The Yibin government started building a new airport, Yibin Wuliangye Airport, to meet increasing traffic demands.
• 2019: The old Yibin Caiba Airport ceased civilian operations on December 5, 2019, and was replaced by Yibin Wuliangye Airport, which officially opened for service.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Airport Layout

Yibin Caiba Airport had a terminal building with a total area of 4,700 square meters, housing a ticket counter, security check areas, and a waiting lounge. The airport was equipped with four aircraft parking positions and a 2200-meter long runway.

• Runway: 2200 meters in length, 45 meters in width
• Passenger Terminal: 4,700 square meters
• Air Traffic Capacity: 13 routes connecting 17 domestic cities

Firefighting and Safety

The airport established a firefighting station in May 2008, equipped with heavy foam fire trucks and other emergency rescue vehicles to ensure safety operations.

Management

The Yibin Civil Aviation Management Office (宜宾民航管理处) was responsible for managing the airport. It was a county-level institution under the Yibin municipal government, governed by the Civil Aviation Administration of China Southwest Bureau. The management had several departments, including security, ticketing, and operations, and employed 176 people.

Airport Services

Passenger Services

• VIP Lounge: Available for premium passengers
• Ticket Counters: Available at the terminal for flight check-in and booking
• Security Checkpoints: Two security checkpoints for passengers
• Baggage Claim: Baggage claim area within the terminal building

Transportation Options

Airport Shuttle Bus

• Departure Time: 09:30, 17:00, 19:20 (last departure for evening flights)
• City Departure Locations: South Bank Shu’nan Avenue West Section 17, Yibin City
• Airport Departure Locations: The airport terminal building

Public Bus Service

• Route: Bus No. 8 connects Yibin city center to the airport.
  • Fare: Regular buses cost 1 RMB, air-conditioned buses 2 RMB.
  • Stops include: Wuxing Village → Yifei Elderly Apartments → Yibin Airport → Guandong Museum → Caiba Middle School → and others.

Taxi Services

• Starting Fare: 5 RMB
• Distance: Approximately 10 km to the old city, 12 km to South Bank
• Price: Typically 30-50 RMB, but taxis often require negotiation.
• Didi Rides: More affordable and convenient ride-hailing services are also available.

Transition to Yibin Wuliangye Airport

In 2016, the construction of a new airport, Yibin Wuliangye Airport (宜宾五粮液机场), began in Zongchang Town, Cuiping District. The new airport covers over 5,000 acres and is designed to handle 2 million passengers annually by 2025. The airport features a 2,600-meter runway, a 24,000-square-meter terminal building, and advanced navigation, meteorological, and firefighting facilities. The airport officially started operations on December 5, 2019.

How to Get There

From the City Center

• By Bus: Take bus No. 8 from various stops in the city center (e.g., Wuxing Village, Yifei Elderly Apartments) directly to Yibin Airport.
• By Taxi: Taxi rides are available for a fee of 30-50 RMB to the airport.
• By Didi: Use the Didi ride-hailing app for affordable travel to the airport.

From Other Regions

• From Chengdu: The airport can be accessed by flight or bus from Chengdu, which is approximately a 2-hour drive away.
• By Train: Yibin is connected to other parts of Sichuan province by rail, with convenient access to the airport.

This concludes the detailed overview of Yibin Caiba Airport. With its closure and transition to a modern facility, Yibin Wuliangye Airport promises to further enhance travel and connectivity for the region.

Airlines and destinations