Yibin Wuliangye Airport

Yibin Wuliangye Airport
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Introduction

Yibin Wuliangye Airport (宜宾五粮液机场; IATA: YBP, ICAO: ZUYB) is located in Yibin City, Sichuan Province, China, approximately 11 kilometers from the city center. It is a 4C-class civil-military dual-use transport airport. The airport was approved by the State Council and the Central Military Commission in May 2012, with construction commencing on January 20, 2016, and officially opening on December 5, 2019.

Key Airport Facts

  • Airport Name: Yibin Wuliangye Airport (宜宾五粮液机场)
  • ICAO Code: ZUYB
  • IATA Code: YBP
  • Opening Date: December 5, 2019
  • Location: Yibin City, Sichuan Province, China
  • Airport Type: Civil-Military Dual-Use Airport
  • Airport Grade: 4C
  • Terminal Area: 24,000 m² (as of December 2019)
  • Runway Length: 2,600 meters (as of December 2019)
  • Parking Stands: 13 (as of December 2019)
  • Passenger Throughput: 913,093 passengers (2020)
  • Cargo Throughput: 5,467.11 tons (2020)
  • Aircraft Movements: 10,245 takeoffs and landings (2020)

Construction and Design

The airport is planned to handle 2 million passengers, 11,000 tons of cargo, and 25,157 aircraft movements by 2025. The terminal building spans 24,000 square meters and includes 13 parking stands, six boarding bridges, and one 2,600-meter runway. The airport also has a new air traffic control tower and comprehensive facilities for communication, navigation, meteorology, fuel supply, and firefighting.

The design concept of the airport terminal draws inspiration from the local bamboo culture, with the structure resembling an open bamboo shoot from a bird’s-eye view and an image of a soaring swallow from the side. Inside the terminal, the design incorporates bamboo elements, with grid ceilings inspired by bamboo fungus, cylindrical structural columns resembling bamboo stalks, emphasizing the resilience and uprightness of bamboo.

Flight Routes and Airlines

As of July 2021, Yibin Wuliangye Airport operates flights to 32 cities and 33 destinations. The airport launched its first direct flights to Tengchong (腾冲) in Yunnan Province and Quanzhou (泉州) in Fujian Province on October 13, 2021.

Airlines and Destinations

  • Airlines: Air China (CA), China Eastern Airlines (MU), China Southern Airlines (CZ), Shenzhen Airlines (ZH), Tibet Airlines (TV), Spring Airlines (9C), and others.
  • Popular Routes: Beijing (Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing), Shanghai (Pudong), Guangzhou, Xiamen, Kunming, Chengdu, Lijiang, Xi’an, Sanya, Dali, and more.

Key Airlines and Routes

  1. Air China (CA): Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing
  2. China Eastern Airlines (MU): Shanghai Pudong, Xiamen, Kunming, Qingdao, Nanjing
  3. China Southern Airlines (CZ): Guangzhou, Dalian, Changsha
  4. Shenzhen Airlines (ZH): Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hefei, Wenzhou, Quanzhou
  5. Tibet Airlines (TV): Lhasa, Hangzhou, Lijiang, Xuzhou
  6. Spring Airlines (9C): Shanghai Pudong

Airport Facilities

  • Self Check-in: The airport offers self-check-in kiosks on the second floor of the terminal, allowing passengers to check in using their identification.
  • Baggage Handling: Self-baggage drop counters are also available on the second floor, where passengers can scan their boarding passes and print baggage labels.
  • Self Boarding: A self-boarding system with facial recognition is available at Gate 7 in the departure hall.

Transportation Options

Airport Bus

  • Route: Yibin Wuliangye Airport to Yibin Railway Station, Yibin College, and other local stops.
  • Operating Hours: From 08:30 to 22:30 at the airport, and from 07:00 to 21:00 at the railway station.
  • Fare: 10 CNY

Taxis

  • Daytime Fare (07:00 – 22:00): 5 CNY/km (1.6-liter vehicles), 5.54 CNY/km (1.8-liter vehicles)
  • Nighttime Fare (22:00 – 07:00): 30% surcharge on daytime rates.
  • Low-Speed Fee: If speed is below 12 km/h, the rate is charged at 1.8 CNY per 4 minutes.
  • Spring Festival Surcharge: An additional 5 CNY is charged for each ride during the Spring Festival.

Cultural and Architectural Features

The design of Yibin Wuliangye Airport incorporates traditional elements that reflect the cultural heritage of Yibin, particularly its famous bamboo culture. The terminal building’s unique design aims to evoke a sense of arrival and departure, with motifs inspired by local nature and architecture.

Design Inspiration

  • Concept: “Empty mountains, bamboo-roofed houses, and swallows flying” serves as the architectural theme.
  • Interior: The use of bamboo-inspired design throughout the terminal underscores the local culture and natural beauty of the area. The net-like ceiling is inspired by bamboo fungus, and the round structural columns symbolize the uprightness and resilience of bamboo.

Construction Plans and Future Developments

Yibin is working towards expanding the airport’s network and infrastructure. The airport plans to serve 40 cities by 2021 and 50 cities by 2024. The airport aims to boost its passenger throughput to over 2.5 million annually and further integrate into the modernized transport network of Sichuan Province.

Importance of Yibin Wuliangye Airport

The opening of Yibin Wuliangye Airport significantly improves transportation efficiency in the region, enhancing connectivity and contributing to the growth of Yibin’s economy. The airport will help in building a comprehensive transport hub, integrating air, rail, road, and water transportation networks, ultimately supporting high-quality regional development.

How to Get There

  • By Air: Yibin Wuliangye Airport is located 11 kilometers from Yibin city center, accessible by taxi or airport bus.
  • By Train: Yibin Railway Station connects to various cities in the region, and there is an airport bus from the station to the airport.