CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China) Xinjiang Regional Administration plans to build a new airport in the Taklimakan Desert during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), which will be the first airport built in the desert in China, Beijing Daily reported.

The airport is expected to benefit oil exploration and rescue work in the desert. Four new airports are planned for Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015).