Airport Introduction

1、History

Matsu comprises of some 20 plus islands and reefs spread across an area of over 70km in length. Like a string of pearls, the islands decorate the seas to the south of the Chinese province of Fujian. Beigan Airport is situated on Beigan island, between the settlements of Tangqi and Hou’ao. Originally the site of a small military airport, funding from the Civil Aviation Authority enabled renovations and the eventual opening of a fully functional commercial airport on the 17th of January 1994. The island’s only air travel hub, this has since significantly shortened the travel time between Matsu and Taiwan and also provided local residents with a far more convenient means of transport on and off the island. The airport’s is only hampered by a fairly narrow runway, which allows for the take-off and landing of only small aircraft. The northern part of the runway is also nestled between two hills, Fengshan and Tiequanshan, while it is cut off from the west by another smaller hill, all of which has an additional impact on flight procedures. Following inspection of the local topography in 1990, the Civil Aviation Authority decided not to go ahead with costly expansions and a relocation of the runway, which would have allowed for the accommodation of larger aircraft.

Following the lifting of military administration in the region, the islands were opened to tourists. As numbers of visitors gradually increased, the Civil Aviation Authority approved the building of a second airport on the island of Nangan in January, 2003. Although the construction of this alternative facility has also done wonders in terms of meeting additional travel demand, several topographical and engineering limitations have made services largely dependent on weather conditions, and reduced the facility to a visual approach airport. Redirection of flights is common, especially from March to May when the area is prone to very foggy conditions.

Despite the building of Nangan airport having significantly reduced the amount of air traffic to and from Beigan airport, the latter still required improvements with regard to accessibility. As a result, a new terminal was opened on the 28th if January 2005. Having not only provided travellers with a safer, more convenient standard of air travel, this new terminal has greatly contributed to the economic development of the island.

2、Geographical Environment

Despite the building of Nangan airport having significantly reduced the amount of air traffic to and from Beigan airport, the latter still required improvements with regard to accessibility. As a result, a new terminal was opened on the 28th if January 2005. Having not only provided travellers with a safer, more convenient standard of air travel, this new terminal has greatly contributed to the economic development of the island.

3、Main Airport Facilities

(1) Runways: one(total length of 1270m (actual runway of 1150m, 60m safety zone at either end), width of 30m. Can accommodate take-off and landing procedures for up to 56-seater DH8-300 model passenger aircraft.)

(2)Taxiway: one. (890m in length, width of 20m)

(3)Apron Area:

          *Fixed wing aircraft (airplane) aprons: two (area of 1574m2, can simultaneously accommodate up to two 56-seater DH8-300 model passenger aircraft).

         *Helicopter aprons: one (area of 1496m2, can accommodate up to BELL-412 model helicopters

(4) Terminal Building: one (total area of 1365.65m2, includes large waiting hall, interior waiting lounges, airline counters and airport affairs office)
(5) Parking Lots (including waiting area for taxis): two

       *Old Terminal: area of 510m2, can accommodate25 normal-sized vehicles

       *New Terminal: Provides parking for 41 medium-sized vehicles, 5 disabled parking bay, queuing zone for 20 taxis.

(6) Air Conditioning System: one (comprises of two 80 ton water cooled chillers, one 5 ton and one 10 ton packaged air conditioners, 16 window type air conditioners and 9 split type air conditioners

(7) Fire Safety Equipment: one 1500 gallon fire truck, six sets of 150 pound dry powder fire extinguishers and 20 smaller extinguishers.

(8) Flight Service Facilities: includes navigational aids (homing stations & rangefinders), a control tower, a meteorological observation station, a runway threshold, a control tower revolving light, Abbreviated Precision Approach Path Indicators (APAPI), runway lights, distance markers, instruction signs & lighting, high intensity obstacle lights, helipad lighting and aircraft ramp spotlights.