Qingdao Liuting International Airport

The airport was closed to all civil aviation following the opening of its replacement, the new and much larger Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport (IATA: TAO, ICAO: ZSQD). The Liuting airport was facing significant capacity constraints, was unable to expand due to being completely surrounded by urban development, and could no longer meet the rapidly growing air traffic demands of Qingdao. The new airport was constructed to provide greater capacity, longer runways, and more modern facilities for the future.

The site is undergoing a massive urban redevelopment. While the military portion of the airport remains an active PLAAF airbase, the former civilian facilities, including the terminal buildings, aprons, and runway, are being repurposed. The official plan is to transform the area into the 'Qingdao Future City' (未来之城). This ambitious project aims to create a new urban center featuring an international business hub, a large-scale conference and exhibition center, high-end residential areas, public parks, and innovation zones, leveraging the site's strategic location within the city.

Originally constructed in 1944 by the Japanese, Qingdao Liuting Airport began civilian operations in 1982. For nearly four decades, it was the primary airport for the city of Qingdao and the surrounding Shandong Peninsula. It was a dual-use airport, sharing its facilities with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). The airport underwent significant expansions, most notably in 2004-2007 in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as Qingdao hosted the sailing events. At its peak, it was a major hub for Shandong Airlines and a focus city for China Eastern Airlines and Qingdao Airlines. In 2019, before the pandemic, it handled over 25.5 million passengers, making it one of China's busiest airports. It connected Qingdao to major domestic cities and international destinations across Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America. Its former IATA code was TAO and its ICAO code was ZSQD; these identifiers were officially transferred to the new airport upon Liuting's closure.

None. The airport has been permanently closed to all civil aviation. All commercial passenger and cargo operations were irrevocably transferred to Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport. The extensive and advanced urban redevelopment plans for the former airport grounds confirm that it will not be reopened for its former purpose.