Hunan Sees 730,000 Inbound and Outbound Trips in H1

Hunan saw more than 730,000 inbound and outbound trips through the province's ports in the first half of 2024, a 2.7 times increase over the same period of 2023, according to the Hunan General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection. The figure exceeded the total amount recorded for the whole of 2023, securing the top position for Hunan among the six provinces of central China. Among them, the number of outbound and inbound foreign passenger trips hit more than 440,000, representing an increase of 5 times.  

Changsha airport handled more than 480,000 entry-exit trips in the first half of 2024, a surge of 225% and including 43% of trips made by foreigners. Zhangjiajie airport handled over 240,000 inbound and outbound trips, soaring 389% year on year. The figure was 1.7 times more than the same period of 2019 and 94.4% trips were made by foreign tourists. Chinese mainland residents traveled to 72 countries and regions via Hunan's airports, with Thailand, Singapore, and Kenya being the top three international destinations for Chinese tourists. Meanwhile, foreign tourists entering China through Hunan's airports mainly came from 115 countries, with South Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia as the top three.

Changsha airport handled over 3,400 inbound and outbound flights in the first six months of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 105%. In particular, the number of passenger flights increased by 192% to nearly 2,900, reaching the United Kingdom, Kenya, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Vietnam, Mongolia, and Cambodia. There were nearly 600 international cargo flights to Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Thailand, and the United States. 

Zhangjiajie airport handled nearly 1,500 international passenger flights, expanding 322% year on year. The destinations included South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and China's Hong Kong. The airport processed round-trip flights linking Zhangjiajie and South Korea's Seoul, Cheongju, Muan, Busan, and Daegu. 

Hunan's airport authorities will increase operation of inbound and outbound flights to meet the growing travel demands during the summer travel peak. Changsha airport is expected to add 28 to 30 more international flights per week, bringing the total to around 150. According to the airport's preliminary plan, new flights will be arranged to South Korea's Cheju and Thailand's Phuket, and more flights will be operated between Changsha and Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Hanoi. 

The Hunan General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection gives the following warm reminders to all exit-entry passengers:

-- Be sure to understand the security situation and entry policies of the destination in advance;

-- Carefully check the required exit and entry documents, and prepare accordingly for overseas trips;

-- Allocate enough time for customs clearance;

-- Wait for security check in an orderly manner in accordance with on-site signs and police guidelines; and,

-- Cooperate with the inspection and approval work of the frontier police.

If passengers encounter any problems about going through customs clearance at ports or processing entry and exit documents, they can call the service hotline of the National Immigration Administration at 12367 or consult the immigration police on-site.