Airports, train stations bracing for passenger surge

Airports and railway stations across Guangdong and Shanxi provinces and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region were primed for an influx of travelers on Tuesday, the first day of the Spring Festival travel rush.

Red lanterns adorned terminals at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, one of China's busiest hubs, where traditional performances such as folk music, lion dances and jump rope routines greeted travelers returning home for family reunions.

The airport anticipates handling over 9.47 million passengers and 238,100 metric tons of cargo during the 40-day travel period, with an average daily passenger flow of around 240,000. Officials have urged travelers to purchase tickets in advance and opt for off-peak schedules.

Home to more than 21 million migrant workers, Guangdong is a focal point for the annual travel surge. The Civil Aviation Administration of China has forecast a record 90 million civil aviation passengers nationwide for this year's rush, coinciding with the Year of the Snake, which begins on Jan 29.

To accommodate the demand, China Eastern Airlines announced it has added 1,092 flights, primarily connecting the Guangdong cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Jieyang with other regions. Additionally, 132 flights on high-demand routes, such as those between Guangzhou and Xi'an, Shaanxi province, and between Shenzhen and Kunming, Yunnan province, will feature larger aircraft.

China Southern Airlines has deployed three domestically produced C919 aircraft for 10 flights linking Guangzhou with Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, Shanghai Hongqiao, Haikou in Hainan province and Chengdu in Sichuan province, carrying over 1,200 passengers on the first day alone.

Railway stations are also bracing for a surge. Guangzhou South Railway Station expects to handle 20.17 million passengers during the travel period, consisting of 10.2 million departures and 9.97 million arrivals.

Spokesperson Dai Weiguo assured that safety and smooth operations remain top priorities.

In Shanxi province, Taiyuan South Railway Station launched a campaign promoting cultural travel, featuring activities such as writing Spring Festival couplets, gourd carving and paper cutting to enhance the festive atmosphere. Li Jing, deputy director of ticketing affairs, highlighted the activities as a unique way to promote local heritage.

Meanwhile, in Nanning, capital of Guangxi, local railway authorities estimate a 7 percent year-on-year increase in train passengers, totaling more than 17 million during the travel rush.

Shi Ruipeng in Nanning and Li Yongsi and Liu Yiwei in Guangzhou contributed to this story.