Li Chia Tsun Air Base (李家村 Guilin Qifengling Airport)

Summary

Operating Country 🇨🇳 China
Location 🇨🇳 China
Status Active
UsageMilitary only
Year built1942
Operating OrganizationPeople's Liberation Army Air Force

Description

Guilin Qifengling Airport is a military airport located in Guilin, Guangxi, China. It was originally built in 1942 as a military airfield. During World War II, it was known as Kweilin Airfield and Lijiacun Airfield, serving the United States Army Air Forces Fourteenth Air Force as part of the China Defensive Campaign (1942–45). Units stationed there included the 23d Fighter Group (the "Flying Tigers"), the 68th Composite Wing, and the 8th Reconnaissance Group, operating P-40 Warhawk, P-51 Mustang, and P-38 Lightning aircraft. After the departure of the Flying Tigers in late 1944, elements of the Chinese-American Composite Wing (CACW) operated B-25 Mitchell and P-51 Mustang fighters from the airport until September 1945. The American facilities were closed after the war.

The airport was rebuilt in 1958 and subsequently served both civil and military air traffic. Due to a significant increase in tourism during the 1990s, the airport's infrastructure became inadequate for civilian operations. As a result, commercial flights were shifted to the newly constructed Guilin Liangjiang International Airport upon its opening in October 1996. Guilin Qifengling Airport has since continued to operate as a military airport. It has one asphalt runway, designated 18/36.

Location & Details

Map of Li Chia Tsun Air Base
Coordinates25.1939°N, 110.3203°E
IATA codeKWL
ICAO codeZGKL
Runways
  • 18/36 [2300 m]
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