A Chinese research team has discovered a potential airfield¹ location in the Antarctic as it spots a large sheet of blue ice perfect for aircraft to make take-offs and landings.

 

一支中国科研小组在南极洲发现一处可能建造机场的位置，此处是一大块坚硬的冰层，适合飞机的起飞与降落。
 

 

The spot is located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from a research base camp of China in the South Pole.

 

All kinds of large aircraft can make their take-off and landing on a blue ice airport without transforming their landing gears, according to Sun Bo, the leader of China's 35th Antarctic research expedition team.

 

"Blue ice provides good bearing capacity, high resistance and stability for planes," said Sun.

 

There are currently eight blue ice airfields² in the South Pole, yet China owns zero in terms of permanent airports.

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