Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport reported that 85.69 percent of its flights left on time during 2017,?nine percent higher than the industry average.

The score puts the airport in first place among 27 airports in the southwestern region which have more than one percent of total passenger throughput among Chinese airports.

Aircraft taxi at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

According to a manager at the airport, Chongqing airport has striven to optimize its services to ensure the smooth operation of flights.

With the opening of the T3A terminal, the facilities at the airport have been greatly improved. The newly built 530,000-square-meter terminal and 800,000-square-meter tarmac apron are now fully operational.

The airport has strengthened its links with various airlines including Air China, China Southern, and Sichuan Airlines –– all have set up bases at the airport.

Meanwhile the airport has worked hard to modernize its services, such as installing a 400MHz wireless intercom system for security checks.

"The rapid development of an airport needs the support of a wireless communication system. Managing a large modern airport requires intelligent means," said a manager at the airport.

The airport will continue to improve its services and management in the future, providing even more convenience to passengers, added the manager.

According to statistics, the passenger throughput at Chongqing airport during 2017 reached 38.72 million people, ranking ninth nationwide, with the number of foreign passengers hitting 2.69 million people, an increase of 5.2 percent over the same period in 2016. Cargo throughput reached 113,000 tons, an increase of 12.1 percent over the same period in 2016.