Yinchuan Xihuayuan Airport was the former main airport of Yinchuan, Ningxia, China. It was built on orders of Ningxia governor Ma Hongkui in 1935 as a military airport with a gravel runway. The airport was closed from September 1949 to September 1958.[1] In 1958, the airport was renovated to welcome the establishment of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, of which Yinchuan became the capital. After the renovation, the Xihuayuan Airport had a gravel runway with a length of 1415 meters and a width of 40 meters.[2] On 20 October 1958, a CAAC Il-14 passenger plane landed at the airport, marking the official resumption of flights at the airport.[3][4][5]
Yinchuan Xihuayuan Airport 银川西花园机场 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Opened | 1935 | ||||||||||
| Closed | September 1997 | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 38°30′05″N 106°08′41″E / 38.501282°N 106.144622°E | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
 Location of the former airport in Yinchuan | |||||||||||
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| Runways | |||||||||||
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In September 1986, the airport was expanded and became a 3C-class airport, being able to handle aircraft like the BAe 146 under 50 tons.[6] The airport ceased operations in September 1997 due to the facilities being in need of upgrading and lack of expansion room. Its function was taken over by Yinchuan Hedong Airport.[7]
The airport was the only airport in China serving a provincial capital that still had a gravel runway. At night, the runway was lit using lanterns, and during the rainy season the airport would often flood.[8]
The airport terminal was preserved as a protected cultural heritage site by the Yinchuan Cultural Relics Department.[1]
Airlines and Destinations
edit| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| CAAC | Baotou, Beijing, Lanzhou/Gongxingdun, Lanzhou/Zhongchuan |
| China Northwest Airlines | Beijing/Capital, Foshan, Taiyuan, Xi'an/Xiguan, Xi'an/Xianyang |
Accidents
editOn July 23, 1993, China Northwest Airlines Flight 2119 crashed into a lake and broke apart while attempting its second takeoff from the airport. At least 59 of the 113 persons aboard the aircraft were killed.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b 唐荣尧 党艳红 (2011-03-23). "西花园，历史记忆中的将军楼和飞机场". 银川晚报 副刊 (in Simplified Chinese). 银川新闻网. Archived from the original on 2011-10-17. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
- ^ "河东机场首次大规模扩建 伊斯兰风情放光彩". 新消息报 (in Simplified Chinese). 航彩网. 2007-05-10. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
- ^ "从西花园到河东国际机场".
- ^ 唐荣尧 党艳红 (2011-03-23). "西花园，历史记忆中的将军楼和飞机场". 银川晚报 副刊 (in Simplified Chinese). 银川新闻网. Archived from the original on 2011-10-17. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
- ^ 记者李徽 实习生姬尉文 (2008-09-23). "老民航：遥望历史的天空". 宁夏日报 (in Simplified Chinese). 宁夏网. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
- ^ 唐荣尧 党艳红 (2011-03-23). "西花园，历史记忆中的将军楼和飞机场". 银川晚报 副刊 (in Simplified Chinese). 银川新闻网. Archived from the original on 2011-10-17. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
- ^ "河东机场首次大规模扩建 伊斯兰风情放光彩". 新消息报 (in Simplified Chinese). 航彩网. 2007-05-10. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
- ^ 闻海霞 陈荣强 (2011-06-27). "宁夏民航曾用马灯导航". 新消息报 (in Simplified Chinese). 宁夏网. Archived from the original on 2014-04-22. Retrieved 2011-08-27.
- ^ "July 23 Events in History at BrainyHistory.com".