(Photo: Nanfang Plus)

Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport has handled over one million foreign arrivals and departures so far this year, marking the earliest milestone ever reached and a jump of more than 45% compared to the same period in 2022.

The airport achieved this figure 87 days earlier than last year, placing it among China's busiest hubs for international passenger traffic.

According to airport authorities, the surge is attributed to China's expanding visa-free entry policies, the growing network of international routes, and supportive measures such as tax refunds for departing visitors and wider access to mobile payments. Nearly 60% of foreign travelers arriving in Shenzhen this year entered visa-free, more than double the share recorded last year.

The airport has recently added or expanded services to destinations including Singapore, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Siem Reap, and is set to launch a new route to Melbourne. In total, it now connects to more than 50 international and regional destinations across five continents, with around 800 passenger flights each week.