The newly-built Lishui Airport in Lishui, Zhejiang province performs a test flight. [Photo/Tide News]

The flight MU9001 of China Eastern Airlines soared from the newly constructed runway of Lishui Airport in Lishui, East China's Zhejiang province, on April 18, marking the start of its test flights — a pivotal step before the airport's official opening.

Once operational, the Lishui Airport will become Zhejiang's eighth civil aviation airport, the first of its kind in over two decades to undergo such testing in the province.

The 100-minute test flights involved a comprehensive evaluation of Lishui Airport's flight procedures, operational standards, and various facilities, including communication, navigation, surveillance, meteorological systems, and lighting.

The inspection confirmed that the airport's flight procedures and standards meet operational needs, with its various facilities functioning correctly.

The newly-built Lishui Airport resembles a large white bird from above. [Photo/Tide News]

Zheng Liping, director of the airport's construction headquarters, explained that a new airport requires three inspections and two tests — calibration and test flights — before it can open.

Following the successful completion of calibration flights in February, Zheng noted that further refinements and industry acceptance tests are planned before the anticipated August opening.

Situated approximately 15 kilometers southwest of the downtown, the Lishui Airport spans 2,267 hectares in a mountainous region near terraced fields.

The airport aims for an annual capacity of 1 million passengers and an annual cargo and mail throughput of 4,000 metric tons.