Sanya airport sees over 1m cross-border passenger trips in 2026

Since the start of the year, Sanya Phoenix International Airport has seen a steady rise in cross-border travel. By 8 pm on Oct 24, the airport's Phoenix Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station had processed over one million passenger trips and more than 5,000 flights, reflecting year-on-year increases of 30.3 percent and 21.9 percent, respectively.

Foreign tourists check in at the front desk of the Atlantis Sanya on Oct 27. [Photo/VCG]

Visa-free policies and expanded international flight networks have greatly contributed to the growth in international travel. Sanya now operates 38 international routes, connecting 30 cities across 16 countries and regions. These routes cover key areas such as Southeast Asia, Central Asia and Russian-speaking regions, making cross-border travel more convenient.

To handle the growing number of travelers, the Phoenix Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station has optimized staffing, upgraded inspection equipment, and improved facilities to boost efficiency and keep operations running smoothly.

"We've upgraded both our technology and processes to streamline passenger clearance," said Wu Dongrong, a representative from the Phoenix Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station.

All 38 inspection lanes are open, with multilingual signs, information screens, and volunteer teams available to assist travelers. The use of passenger flow analysis and inspection software has cut individual clearance times by 30 seconds on average and reduced overall flight clearance by about 30 minutes.

Additionally, the border inspection station has worked with the airport to upgrade the international area of the T3 terminal, adding three new boarding gates for international departures and and starting their check-in process three hours in advance. These measures help manage peak passenger flow and reduce waiting times.

The efficient clearance process has significantly improved travel experience. The airport's one-millionth cross-border passenger this year was a woman from Indonesia, planning a four-day stay in Sanya to enjoy the coastal scenery and local culture. "The QR code for form filling is easy and fast, which is very welcoming to foreign visitors," she noted.

From Dec 18, when the Hainan Free Trade Port began its island-wide special customs operations, until Oct 20, Sanya Phoenix International Airport has handled 837,000 cross-border passenger trips by foreign travellers, making up 84.9 percent of total traffic. Visa-free travelers accounted for 97.6 percent of foreign arrivals, highlighting the aiport's increasing popularity among foreign travellers.