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Construction crews push ahead as a new airport nears completion in Nanhu district, Jiaxing, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

Jiaxing Nanhu Airport, the upcoming aviation hub, is rising fast in Nanhu district, Jiaxing.

With the final section of concrete poured, the cargo apron is now fully connected. The terminal is also nearing completion, with glass walls, aluminum roof panels shaped like azaleas — Jiaxing's city flower — and interior finishes all progressing on schedule.

Spanning 25,900 square meters across three floors, the terminal is the largest standalone structure in the project. Its floral metal roof includes 22 aluminum petals, while expansive glass curtain walls aim to deliver a bright, open space for travelers.

Roughly 2,000 workers are on-site daily, pushing the project forward at full pace. It's one of the city's most anticipated projects and part of Jiaxing's broader leap in infrastructure.

A digital project management system tracks worker attendance, payroll, and site conditions in real time. This "smart construction" model replaces manual oversight with automated monitoring, improving safety, ensuring fair labor practices, and keeping progress on track.

The airport has announced its first 12 domestic passenger routes, connecting Jiaxing directly to Beijing, Shenyang, Harbin, Xi'an, Chongqing, Chengdu, and other major Chinese cities.

International operations will initially focus on cargo, with 12 freight routes linking Jiaxing to the United States, Japan, South Korea, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Unlike nearby Hongqiao, Pudong, and Xiaoshan airports, Jiaxing Nanhu Airport will adopt a "cargo-first, passenger-supported" model, aiming to establish itself as a global air logistics hub.

The project is backed by YTO Express, which signed an agreement with the Jiaxing government in 2018. The goal is to develop a next-generation logistics hub serving the Yangtze River Delta, China, and beyond.

Upon completion, the airport is expected to handle 4 million passengers and 1.23 million metric tons of cargo annually by 2035.