The National Immigration Administration (NIA) projects an average of more than 2 million daily passenger crossings at its border checkpoints during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, marking a year-on-year 14.1 percent increase.
The authorities attributed the growth to the country’s visa-free entry policies and consumption-incentive measures, driving a significant rise in both inbound and outbound tourism over the nine-day holiday period.
Significant increases in passenger traffic are anticipated at major international airports. The peak for outbound travel is expected to occur on February 15, while inbound peak traffic is predicted between February 22 and 23.
Specifically, Shanghai Pudong International Airport is expected to handle 104,000 daily crossings, followed by Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport with 57,000, Beijing Capital International Airport with 43,000, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport with 21,000, and Shenzhen Baoan International Airport with 18,000.
In contrast, passenger flow at Hong Kong and Macau's land control boundary ports is expected to remain relatively stable, with peak traffic falling on February 18 and 19. The Luohu port projecting about 209,000 entries and exits daily
Other border checkpoints, such as Futian, Shenzhen Bay, the West Kowloon Station of Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Link, and Liantang, boundary control points are expected to respectively see around 182,000, 157,000, 112,000, and 93,000 passengers.
Additionally, the Gongbei Port of Zhuhai Municipality and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Port are forecast to handle around 308,000 and 127,000 passengers daily.
The NIA announced that real-time monitoring of passenger flows will be strengthened and the latest traffic updates will be made to help travellers plan their journeys.
Chinese citizens can expect customs clearance queues not exceeding 30 minutes, the authority added.
Coordination with port inspection units and local authorities will also be stepped up to ensure smooth, efficient and safe passage through the nation’s borders during the peak travel period.
