Ankang Wulipu Airport

The airport was permanently closed following the opening of its replacement, the new Ankang Fuqiang Airport (IATA: AKA, ICAO: ZLAK). The Wulipu airport had become obsolete and could not support the region's growth. Key reasons for its replacement include:
1. **Inadequate Infrastructure**: As a 3C class airport, its runway was only 1,600 meters long, limiting operations to small turboprop aircraft like the Xian MA60. It could not accommodate larger, more common jets like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320.
2. **Urban Encroachment**: Located within the Hanbin district, the airport was surrounded by urban development, which prevented any potential for runway extension or facility expansion.
3. **Limited Capacity**: The small terminal and aging facilities could not handle the increasing passenger and cargo demand for the Ankang region.
4. **Economic Development**: A new, modern 4C class airport was required to boost local tourism, trade, and connectivity.

The former airport site is undergoing a complete urban redevelopment. The land has been repurposed for a major city project known as the 'Ankang Wulipu Airport Relocation and Renewal Project'. The plan is to transform the area into a new modern urban center, integrating commercial districts, residential housing, public parks, schools, and other municipal infrastructure. While the faint outline of the old runway may still be visible on some satellite images, active construction is underway to erase the airport's physical footprint and build a new city district in its place.

Ankang Wulipu Airport had a long history, serving both military and civilian purposes. It was originally constructed in 1938 during the Second Sino-Japanese War as a military airfield. Civilian flight operations began in 1964 but were later suspended. Following a significant expansion and modernization project, the airport reopened for commercial flights on December 26, 2001. For nearly two decades, it served as a vital air link for the mountainous and relatively isolated Ankang region. It primarily handled regional flights operated by airlines such as China Express Airlines and Tianjin Airlines, connecting Ankang with major hubs like Xi'an, Chongqing, and Wuhan. Upon its closure, its official IATA code (AKA) and ICAO code (ZLAK) were transferred to the new Ankang Fuqiang Airport. The ICAO code CN-0160 is a non-standard identifier.

There are zero prospects for reopening. The airport has been permanently decommissioned, and its function has been fully transferred to the new Ankang Fuqiang Airport. The land is far too valuable and is already being actively redeveloped for urban use, making any return to aviation activities impossible.