Shenzhen Airport Sees Over 3.21 Million Cross-Border Passengers in First Half of 2025, Plans New International Routes for Summer Travel Season

Shenzhen Airport’s Growing International Connectivity

In the first half of 2025, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport recorded over 3.21 million cross-border passengers, marking a 30% increase compared to the same period last year. This positions Shenzhen as the fourth busiest international air hub in China, following major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

As someone who frequently travels through Shenzhen Airport, I’ve noticed a significant rise in international travelers, particularly from Southeast Asia. The airport’s strategic location near Hong Kong and its expanding route network make it an increasingly popular transit point. On April 17, 2025, the airport processed 21,800 inbound and outbound passengers—the highest single-day record in five years.

The growth is largely driven by China’s expanding visa-free policies, which now cover travelers from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and several European countries. Additionally, the 144-hour transit visa exemption and streamlined e-payment options have made China more accessible than ever.

Surge in Foreign Visitors and Popular Routes

Foreign passenger traffic at Shenzhen Airport jumped by 52% year-on-year, reaching 720,000 travelers in the first half of 2025. The top sources of international visitors include:

• Malaysia
• South Korea
• Japan
• Vietnam
• Singapore
• Thailand

Thanks to visa-free policies, over 210,000 foreign travelers entered Shenzhen without a visa, a 154% surge compared to 2024. In my experience, the immigration process has become much smoother, with automated gates and multilingual support making entry hassle-free.

Shenzhen Airport has also expanded its flight network, adding or increasing frequency on routes to:

• Vientiane (Laos)
• Singapore
• Bangkok (Thailand)
• Tokyo (Japan)
• Jeju (South Korea)
• Mexico City (Mexico)

Currently, the airport operates 45 international passenger routes, with around 760 weekly flights.

Summer Travel Boom and New Flight Routes

With the summer travel season in full swing, Shenzhen Airport expects 1.25 million cross-border passengers, a 21% increase from last year. Popular travel motivations include:

• Family vacations
• Graduation trips
• Business travel
• Study abroad programs

To meet demand, the airport will introduce new routes to:

• Dubai (UAE)
• Malé (Maldives)
• Phnom Penh & Siem Reap (Cambodia)

By the end of 2025, Shenzhen Airport aims to have over 50 international destinations, further solidifying its role as a key aviation hub in Southern China.

Efficient Immigration and Future Developments

To handle the rising passenger flow, Shenzhen Airport Immigration has implemented several upgrades:

• Real-time flight monitoring to adjust staffing
• Electronic arrival card system for faster processing
• More automated gates for Chinese and eligible foreign travelers

From my observations, the immigration process now takes under 30 minutes even during peak hours—a major improvement from previous years.

With continuous route expansions and streamlined procedures, Shenzhen Airport is set to become an even more vital gateway for international travelers. Whether you’re visiting for business or leisure, the airport’s growing connectivity makes it a top choice for cross-border travel.

Would you consider flying through Shenzhen for your next international trip? Share your thoughts in the comments!