A fascinating battle is emerging between airports serving the inland powerhouse Chinese cities of Chengdu, Xi'an, Chongqing, Wuhan and Kunming for the role as the nation’s fourth largest aviation hub (after Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou). Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CDIA) has recently made its ambitions clear: over the next five years (the 12th Five Year Plan period) it aims to be the airport that meets the growing aviation needs of the massive western region of China. In coming months, CAPA will review the progress and ambitions of Chengdu's rivals in Western China.