Nanjing Dajiaochang Airport

The closure to civilian traffic was due to the opening of the new, much larger Nanjing Lukou International Airport (IATA: NKG, ICAO: ZSNJ). Dajiaochang Airport was located too close to the expanding city center, causing significant noise pollution and acting as a barrier to urban development. Its single runway and aging facilities were insufficient to handle the rapid growth in passenger and cargo traffic, and could not accommodate larger, modern wide-body aircraft for long-haul international flights. The complete closure in 2015 occurred after a new military airbase was constructed elsewhere, freeing the valuable land for redevelopment.

The site is currently undergoing a massive urban redevelopment project to create a new city sub-center called the 'Southern New City' (南部新城). The military airbase was completely demolished after its relocation in 2015. A key feature of the new development is the preservation of the 2,600-meter-long main runway, which is being transformed into a central 'runway park'. This park will serve as the green axis for the new district, which includes high-end residential buildings, commercial centers, cultural facilities (such as the new Nanjing Museum of Art), and corporate headquarters. The redevelopment aims to create a modern, high-density urban area on the former airport grounds.

Nanjing Dajiaochang Airport was one of China's most historically significant airfields.

- **Republic of China Era (1929-1949):** First built in 1929, it became the main air force base for the Kuomintang (KMT) government. It was the home of the Central Aviation School, making it the cradle of the Republic of China Air Force. It played a crucial role during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

- **Dual-Use Era (1949-1997):** After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it was converted into a dual-use military and civilian airport. It was operated by the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) while also serving as the sole commercial airport for Nanjing and the surrounding Jiangsu province. It handled all domestic and a limited number of international flights. Upon its civilian closure, its IATA code (NKG) and ICAO code (ZSNJ) were transferred to the new Nanjing Lukou International Airport.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the site as an airport. The land has been irrevocably repurposed for a major urban development project. The military aviation functions have been permanently relocated, and the physical infrastructure of the airport, aside from the runway being preserved as a park, has been demolished to make way for new construction. Its future is firmly established as a new urban district of Nanjing.