🛫 Chengdu Business Aviation Still Centered on Shuangliu, Tianfu Sees Only 12 Movements in Six Months
The distribution of business aviation operations across Chengdu's two airports is highly imbalanced, with activity almost entirely concentrated at Shuangliu. Avi-Go data shows that from February to July 30, 2026, Shuangliu (ZUUU) recorded a cumulative 424 business aviation movements, averaging about 70 per month, spiking to a peak of 91 in April, dropping to a low of 58 in May, and reaching 77 as of July 30, showing an upward recovery trend. Over the same period, Tianfu (ZUTF) recorded only 12 movements, with a high of 6 in March and zero in April, May, and July—sporadic activity lacking a stable operational foundation.
Impact: Tianfu New Airport has not yet created any substantial diversion of Shuangliu's business aviation traffic. No structural migration of clientele has occurred between the two airports, and Chengdu's business aviation ground handling demand remains highly dependent on the single-point capacity of Shuangliu.
Recommendation: In Q3 2026, FBOs and ground handling operators should continue to allocate personnel and parking resources primarily around Shuangliu. Investment in Tianfu should be kept at an observational level; only after its monthly movements hold steady in double digits for three consecutive months should operators evaluate in Q4 whether to establish permanent service capabilities there.