The Kunming Airport will be moved and expanded into the fourth largest airport in China, only smaller than ones in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

According to Yunnan Airport Group, the new Kunming International Airport has been approved by China's State Council. Commencing in December 2006, the first phase of the construction with 2 runways will be completed in 2009, and will be able to accept 25 million passengers annually. Located at Hunshuitang in Guandu District, the new airport will have 4 runways altogether and can accept 63 million passengers finally when the whole project is finished, at an undisclosed time.

Meanwhile, the old airport will be kept open until 2010, and can handle an annual capacity of 20 million passengers.

According to the budget, the total investment for the new airport will be more than RMB23 billion. In order to attract investors, Yunnan Airport Group is planning to reform from a state-owned enterprise to a stock limited company.