HARBIN, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- Construction of a new civilian airport has started on China's border with Russia in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, authorities said Wednesday.

Construction of Dongning Airport began Tuesday in the border city of Suifenhe, with an estimated budget of 1.15 billion yuan (174 million U.S. dollars), said a city official.

Covering around 2 square km, the regional airport is designed to handle 450,000 passengers and 3,600 tonnes of cargo annually, allowing nearly 4,800 take-offs and landings a year, according to the official.

Direct flights are planned from the airport to Chinese cities of Beijing, Shenyang, Dalian and Qingdao, and international flights are also planned connecting the city to Russia.

Trial operations are expected to begin in 2020.

Located in the southeastern part of Heilongjiang, Suifenhe is the province's largest port to Russia. It sees nearly a million cross-border trips and a trade volume in excess of 10 billion yuan a year