Airports take off as economic hubs

Many Chinese cities sinking in construction debt due to excessive infrastructure investment

Today's major airports have moved beyond 20th century centers of mass transit to also become 21st century strategic business infrastructure. In the process, they are attracting nearly all commercial activities traditionally found in metropolitan downtowns.

This has transformed many from what were once "city airports" into urban economic entities in their own right - airport cities. Becoming powerful business magnets, some airport areas now rival metropolitan centers in industry mix and regional economic dominance.