The plans and layout for Zhanjiang's international airport were put out to public consultation on Dec 28, inviting opinions and suggestions for the future western Guangdong airline hub.

The consultation period is one month, during which time any member of the public can comment and offer advice on the convenience, feasibility, and outlook of the overall planning.

Transport plans for Zhanjiang International Airport await public review. [Photo/zjphoto.yinsha.com]

The plans were drawn up by the Zhanjiang Urban Planning Bureau after the provincial call for the developing of the airport economy during the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20).

The new airport, to be sited at Heshan village, Tangzhui town in Zhanjiang's Wuchuan, a place between Zhanjiang and Maoming, is planned to serve the two cities, along with Yangjiang and Yunfu in western Guangdong.

According to the plan, the airport will occupy a total area of about 165 square kilometers as a base for air logistics, aviation support services, and trade and commerce, the development of which will be given top priority.

The new airport to be built in Zhanjiang is designed to be an airline hub in western Guangdong province. [Photo/zjphoto.yinsha.com]

Industries hoped to be developed alongside the airport will include new technology, high-end manufacturing equipment, food processing, and aviation manufacturing.

The overall plan also blueprints the airport as a comprehensive transport hub, connecting inter-city rail, expressways such as the Shantou-Zhanjiang Expressway, as well as forming an efficient internal traffic system.

The government said it is trying its best to push the project, hoping to complete the construction by 2019.

In its first year, the airport is expected to bring in 15 billion yuan ($2 billion) in economic aggregate, according to the planning.