Statistics released on 27 November by Shenzhen Border Inspection show that passenger throughput at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport has exceeded 6 million so far this year, up 23.4 % year-on-year and the first time the airport has hit the milestone in five years. The rebound cements Bao’an’s position as China’s fourth-busiest international gateway.
Outbound mainland residents—particularly leisure travellers to Southeast Asia—drove much of the growth, benefiting from a dense network of 26 regional destinations served by more than 200 weekly flights. Airport officials said Southeast-Asia services now represent 60 % of international departures, the highest share among China’s major hubs.
![Passenger Volume at Shenzhen International Airport Surges Past 6 Million for First Time Since 2020]()
Foreign arrivals are rising even faster: inspections of non-PRC nationals jumped 44 %, with visa-free travellers making up nearly 60 % of the total. Top source markets include Malaysia, Korea and Singapore, all of which enjoy either mutual or unilateral visa-waiver arrangements with China.
To capitalise on demand, Shenzhen Airport plans to open routes to Melbourne and Kuching in early 2026, pushing its overseas network past 60 cities. Border authorities have introduced thirteen service measures—from multilingual e-gates to on-site VAT refund counters—to turn rising passenger flow into economic value for the Greater Bay Area.
Corporate mobility managers should note that Bao’an’s processing times are now on par with Guangzhou Baiyun, making Shenzhen a viable alternative for South China assignments. Travellers using the airport can also tap into high-speed ferry links to Hong Kong and Macau to avoid congested land crossings.
Outbound mainland residents—particularly leisure travellers to Southeast Asia—drove much of the growth, benefiting from a dense network of 26 regional destinations served by more than 200 weekly flights. Airport officials said Southeast-Asia services now represent 60 % of international departures, the highest share among China’s major hubs.
Foreign arrivals are rising even faster: inspections of non-PRC nationals jumped 44 %, with visa-free travellers making up nearly 60 % of the total. Top source markets include Malaysia, Korea and Singapore, all of which enjoy either mutual or unilateral visa-waiver arrangements with China.
To capitalise on demand, Shenzhen Airport plans to open routes to Melbourne and Kuching in early 2026, pushing its overseas network past 60 cities. Border authorities have introduced thirteen service measures—from multilingual e-gates to on-site VAT refund counters—to turn rising passenger flow into economic value for the Greater Bay Area.
Corporate mobility managers should note that Bao’an’s processing times are now on par with Guangzhou Baiyun, making Shenzhen a viable alternative for South China assignments. Travellers using the airport can also tap into high-speed ferry links to Hong Kong and Macau to avoid congested land crossings.
