Macau authorities have designated approximately 3.25 million square meters for the expansion of the Macau International Airport, aiming to enhance its annual passenger capacity to 15 million.
The targeted capacity exceeds half of the current level that the airport can handle.
According to a Gazette announcement from the city’s Secretary for Transport and Public Works, this area was chosen following a series of adjustments to the initial land plans. Originally, the airport area encompassed nearly 1.78 million square meters.
Recent changes include the return of a 47-square-meter plot to the government for conversion into a street, along with two plots—measuring 8,526 square meters and 6,860 square meters—that will revert to water.
Additionally, eight reclaimed parcels, totaling nearly 1.4 million square meters, will be leased for airport-related purposes without the need for public tendering.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Macau has confirmed that the expansion project is set to commence later this year, significantly increasing the airport’s capacity to accommodate more passengers—over half of its current limit.
The project, first proposed in July 2016, received approval from the central government in October 2022. Land reclamation will be an essential component of this expansion, involving nearly 130 hectares.
Between January and June this year, Macau International Airport (MIA) received more than 3.73 million passengers—a 91 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.
In a broader context, the Macau government aims to attract more international visitors to reduce reliance on the Greater China visitor market. In this regard, the airport is tasked with enhancing its air connectivity.