New runway completes live test flight

The third runway at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport successfully completed live flight verification yesterday morning. A Shenzhen Airlines Boeing 737, operated by an experienced crew, landed smoothly after a flight of nearly four hours during which it completed all validation tasks, laying the groundwork for industry acceptance and entry into service later this year.

A Shenzhen Airlines Boeing carries out a test flight on the third runway at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport yesterday. Xinhua

The tests focused on 10 core items, including PBN (performance-based navigation), conventional arrival and departure procedures, RNP APCH (required navigation performance approaches), and ILS/DME instrument approach procedures, thoroughly examining the operational effectiveness of the third runway’s flight procedures. The crew and support teams also conducted systematic evaluations of obstacle clearance, communication, navigation and surveillance equipment, airfield lighting, runway and taxiway systems, and overall ground-support capabilities. All checks and flight parameters met industry standards.

To ensure test-flight safety, Shenzhen Airport worked closely with the Shenzhen Air Traffic Control Station, Shenzhen Airlines, and other relevant units under the guidance of the Civil Aviation Administration of China’s Central-Southern Regional Administration and the Shenzhen Supervision Bureau. Extensive preparatory work was completed, including risk assessments, the finalization of support plans, and contingency planning for potential anomalies.

Since early August, preparations for commissioning the third runway have accelerated. Key milestones — calibration flights, simulator validations, final completion acceptance and the live test flight — were completed in quick succession, creating favorable conditions for the runway to enter service this year.