Former Yueyang Airport

The airport was closed to all civilian traffic because it was replaced by the new, larger, and more modern Yueyang Sanhe Airport (IATA: YYA, ICAO: ZGYY). The former airport, locally known as Yueyang Baling Airport (岳阳八岭机场), was a 3C class airfield with a relatively short runway and outdated facilities. These limitations made it incapable of handling larger modern jetliners (like the A320 or B737) and insufficient for the region's projected air traffic growth. The new airport was built to modern 4C standards to overcome these deficiencies.

The site has reverted to its original and exclusive function as a military airbase for the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The airport infrastructure, including the runway, taxiways, and hangars, is maintained for military use. It is no longer accessible to the public, and all civilian aviation markings and services have been removed or relocated to the new airport.

The Former Yueyang Airport was a dual-use military-civilian airport that served as the primary air gateway to Yueyang for 25 years. Originally constructed as a People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) base, it was expanded and opened for civil aviation in 1993. As the city's sole airport, it played a significant role in its economic development and connectivity. Operations were limited to smaller aircraft, primarily turboprops like the Xian Y-7. It handled a small number of domestic routes, with flights connecting Yueyang to major cities such as Guangzhou. Its closure marked the end of an era and the beginning of modern aviation for the city.

There are no known plans or prospects to reopen the former airport for civilian or commercial flights. All of Yueyang's civil aviation services have been permanently and completely transferred to the Yueyang Sanhe Airport. The site is expected to remain a dedicated military installation for the foreseeable future.