The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) approved the feasibility research report of Wudang Mountain Airport on Dec 18, which means the comprehensive airport construction plan has been accepted by the central government, wudangshan.gov.cn reported, and Chen Jiayi, chairman of the CPPCC Shiyan Municipal Committee, called for construction to start before New Year’s Day, so as to ensure that the airport would start operating in 2015.

Chen visited the project office for the airport on Dec 20, and said that it was an exceptional achievement that experts had managed to compile the feasibility research report in only five years.

Ji Daoqing, deputy secretary-general of Shiyan Municipal People’s Government and director of the project office, said that it usually takes eight years to complete the procedure to meet the 11 requirements of the organizations, including the Ministry of Land and Resources, Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Environmental Protection, to launch the project.

He also said the next step includes staff training, establishing various teams or departments and promoting the airport.

Edited by Niva Whyman