TIANJIN, March 6 (Xinhuanet) -- The expansion project of north China's Tianjin Binhai International Airport was launched this month.

   As the major airport for transportation and international airliners in northern China, expansion is required for economic development, said an airport official on Monday.

   On completion in 2007, the expanded airport, with a total investment of 2.6 billion yuan (about 325 million US dollars), will handle 5.6 million passengers and 500,000 tons of cargo annually, as well as 66,000 flights.

   The new airport buildings will cover an area of 74,000 square meters, and a parking area will cover 45,000 square meters. The present runways will be extended by 400 meters.

   The airport will be three times its current size when the project is completed. Enditem