New Routes Fuel Record-Breaking Summer Travel Season at Sanxia International Airport

By Chen Si

The 2025 summer travel season saw Sanxia International Airport reach record levels, marking its busiest period since opening.

The 2025 summer travel season marked a record high for Sanxia International Airport, making it the busiest period since its opening. In July, passenger throughput surpassed 344,000 for the first time, climbing to 357,000 in August—a new monthly record. From July 1 to August 31, the airport operated 5,684 flights, serving over 701,000 passengers, including 20,200 international travelers, and handling 3,149 tons of cargo and mail. These figures reflect year-on-year increases of 24%, 26.3%, 11.6%, and 18%, respectively, all setting new records.

This year, the airport launched several new tourist routes. Throughout the summer, 16 airlines offered services to 47 domestic and international destinations. In addition to major hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu, lesser-known tourist cities such as Jieyang, Xining, Hohhot, and Jinan gained traction, with average load factors exceeding 85%.

Popular international and regional destinations included Bangkok (Thailand), Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Singapore, and Hong Kong (China). The border inspection station processed over 150 inbound and outbound flights, a 16.9% year-on-year increase, and cleared about 20,200 passengers, an 11.6% year-on-year increase.

As flights to Seoul, South Korea, resumed on September 2, and with the launch of the China Yangtze River Three Gorges International Tourism Festival on September 6, the airport is positioned for further growth in passenger traffic as students return to campuses.