Xinjiang Airport Group will invest 3.19 billion yuan ($462 million) in 10 civil airport projects in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in 2020, according to the planning and development department of the group.

The 10 projects include four expansions and six new construction projects for airports in the region.

Three expansion projects in Kashgar and Aksu prefectures as well as Yining, the capital of Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture, and two new airport projects in Yutian county of Hotan prefecture and Zhaosu county of Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture kicked off in 2019 and had been suspended a month ago because of the outbreak of COVID-19. But the department said all of the five projects will resume before the end of March.

According to the group, the expansion project in Turpan city and the construction of new airports in Tashkurgan county in Kashgar prefecture, Qitai county in Changji Hui autonomous prefecture, Bayinbuluke in Beyinguoleng Mongolian autonomous prefecture, and Balikun county of Hami city are expected to begin construction successively after April 30.

Home to dozens of ethnic groups, Xinjiang currently has 21 civil airports, the most among provincial regions on the Chinese mainland. The group said with six new airports under construction, there will be 27 airports in the region by 2023.