Core Viewpoint - The emergence of "dual airport" cities in China signifies a shift towards enhanced connectivity and transportation efficiency, particularly in regions where traditional rail infrastructure may not suffice [2][4][29]. Group 1: Dual Airport Development - Recently, the new civil airport project in Ruijin, Jiangxi, has passed industry acceptance, making Ganzhou the only city in Jiangxi and Central China with two civil airports [2]. - Xinjiang's Balikun Dahu Airport has officially commenced operations, becoming the second civil airport in Hami and the 28th airport in Xinjiang [3]. - Over 20 cities at the prefecture level or above in China now boast two or more airports, marking the beginning of the "city-to-city airport" era [4]. Group 2: Characteristics of Dual Airport Cities - The concept of "dual airports" is prevalent in many cities, especially in the western regions of China, where geographical and demographic factors necessitate such developments [5][13]. - Cities like Zunyi in Guizhou and Lijiang in Yunnan exemplify this trend, with multiple airports serving regional travel needs [13]. - However, many of these airports are classified as regional airports with limited passenger throughput, often under 2 million annually, primarily catering to short-distance travel [17]. Group 3: True Dual Airport Cities - A true "dual airport city" is defined by a highly urbanized area with major airports capable of handling over 10 million passengers annually [20]. - Currently, only three cities meet this strict definition: Shanghai (Pudong + Hongqiao), Beijing (Capital + Daxing), and Chengdu (Tianfu + Shuangliu) [21]. - Other cities, such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen, are in the planning stages for dual airports, but their realization faces significant uncertainties [23]. Group 4: Importance of Dual Airports - Airports serve as critical gateways in the globalized era, reflecting a city's development level and supporting logistics and advanced manufacturing [29]. - The presence of dual airports enhances a city's transportation hub capabilities, breaking the limitations of single airport traffic and expanding the city's influence [30]. - Future urban competition will increasingly hinge on transportation infrastructure, including airports, high-speed rail, and metro networks [31]. Group 5: Regional Airport Expansion - The majority of airports in China are located in the western regions, where geographical conditions favor airport development over high-speed rail [34][40]. - Plans indicate that Xinjiang will have 33 civil airports, Sichuan 22, and Inner Mongolia over 20 in the coming years [39]. - The focus on airport expansion in these regions is driven by the need for efficient transportation solutions in areas with sparse populations and complex terrains [41].

Group 1 - The Jiangxi Ruijin Civil Airport has received preliminary approval for industry acceptance, marking a significant step in its development [1] - The airport is designed to accommodate an annual passenger throughput of 550,000 and a cargo throughput of 2,000 tons, addressing the lack of civil aviation facilities in eastern Gannan [1] - The establishment of Ruijin Airport will enhance the transportation system in Ruijin and surrounding areas, creating a new development pattern of "one city, two airports" in Ganzhou [1] Group 2 - Ganzhou is the largest city in Jiangxi by area and population, covering 39,400 square kilometers and housing 9.74 million residents, which is about one-fourth and one-fifth of Jiangxi's total respectively [4] - The existing Ganzhou Huangjin Airport, operational since March 2008, is projected to handle 1.938 million passengers and 5,816.6 tons of cargo in 2024 [4] - The "14th Five-Year Plan" for Ganzhou emphasizes the construction of Ruijin Airport and the expansion of Huangjin Airport to enhance regional aviation capabilities [4]