Comparing aircraft noise pollution and cost-risk effects of inland and offshore airports: The case of Dalian International Airport, Dalian, China

• Two sites for airport expansion at a Chinese city are compared.
• Noise pollution from a expanded inland airport is more serious than an offshore site.
• Land-use cost and noise reduction charges at the offshore location are far less.

China’s Dalian International Airport is taken to compare the aircraft noise pollution and the cost-risk effects of the expanded an existing inland and a proposed offshore airport. The findings show that the aircraft noise pollution of the offshore airport is much less than that of the expanded inland airport; the land-use cost, noise reduction charges and other risks of the offshore airport are also much less; the creation of the offshore airport may be more favorable to the city’s development.