Boao Forum for Asia
The Qionghai airport was built to facilitate travel to the Boao Forum for Asia, an annual political event held away in Boao. The airport also serves rising tourism to the province of Hainan. A feasibility study on the airport was approved by government officials in December 2012, followed by the master plan in May 2013. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on 17 March 2015.