The Qingdao airport in Shandong province witnesses a surge in inbound and outbound passenger flows. [Photo/WeChat account: tao96567]

According to the immigration and border inspection station at the Qingdao airport in Shandong province, the number of foreign passengers passing through the station has exceeded 90,000 this year, representing a 440.43 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

This year, the numbers of people traveling for cross-border trade, employment, visiting relatives, tourism, and studying have shown strong signs of growth, leading to a continuous increase in passenger flow at the Qingdao airport.

Starting March 31, as the civil aviation industry entered the 2024 summer-autumn flight season, Qingdao International Airport Group, in coordination with on-site units, has rolled out a slew of measures and created a more convenient and efficient customs clearance environment, aiming to accelerate the development of Qingdao into an international aviation hub.

The volume of international and regional passenger flights at Qingdao airport has now recovered to over 80 percent of the 2019 level.

The Qingdao-Seoul route has increased to an average of 17 flights per day, while daily passenger flights between Qingdao and Japan and South Korea have increased to an average of 46 flights, further strengthening the city's status as a gateway to Japan and South Korea.

The Qingdao airport operates regular routes to regions such as Hong Kong, Macao, and Taipei in China. From March 6, Qingdao was added to the Individual Visit Scheme with effect, and the frequency of flights from Qingdao to Hong Kong has been increased to 15 flights per week.

The Qingdao-Macao route is the only direct route from Shandong province to Macao, providing a convenient aerial bridge for promoting economic, cultural, and tourism exchanges and cooperation between Qingdao, the Shandong region, and Macao.