Summer passenger traffic at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is growing
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangdong Province, southern China, has seen steady two‑way passenger traffic this summer, driven by visa‑free policies and strong demand for outbound flights. When borders become more transparent and visas become a formality rather than a barrier, airports turn into true gateways to the world. Guangzhou Baiyun, one of the largest aviation hubs in southern China, is breathing in the rhythm of global tourism this summer: on one hand, foreign visitors are eager to discover China; on the other, Chinese travellers are heading out for new experiences. The visa‑free policy, expanded by China to many countries, has become not just a diplomatic gesture but a real economic driver, revitalising air travel, hospitality and retail. And when passengers from Russia, Malaysia and Australia fill the arrival halls, and border officials implement a "one‑window" system, it becomes clear: China is betting on openness, and this course is bearing fruit.
In July, the airport's border inspection authorities processed over 1.65 million inbound and outbound passengers and more than 10,000 arriving and departing flights, up 13.8% and 17% year‑on‑year respectively. The flow of arriving passengers continued to grow, reaching 790,000, with Russia, Malaysia and Australia as the main source countries. "The visa‑free policy is very convenient for short holidays. We plan to stay here [in Guangzhou] and then go to Chongqing," said Abdulwahab Yusuf, a foreign traveller. To handle the heavy passenger flow, border authorities carried out a series of upgrades to ensure smooth clearance. "For special categories of passengers, such as the elderly and children, we offer priority screening and special assistance. At the same time, we have introduced a 'one‑window' system for issuing temporary entry permits and completing entry procedures, and we have added more registration points to speed up the collection of customs clearance information," said Zeng Lingyun, an official at the airport border checkpoint.
The growth in passenger traffic at Guangzhou Baiyun reflects a nationwide trend: according to China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism, inbound tourism to China nearly doubled in the first half of 2026, largely thanks to the visa‑free transit policy and expanded visa‑free access for citizens of more than 50 countries. Guangzhou Airport, as the largest hub in the south, is actively modernising its infrastructure – from biometric terminals to intelligent queue management systems – to cope with the rising flow. The summer peak is expected to last until September, and airlines have already announced additional flights on popular routes.
As CCTV+ reports, the steady two‑way traffic in Guangzhou has become a clear confirmation that China's openness policy works not only on paper but also in real‑life passport control queues, where every passenger is a living response to the trust and interest in the country.
