The annual passenger throughput at Qingdao airport reaches 25.56 million on Dec 21, marking a 22.6 percent increase compared to 2023. [Photo/Shandian News]

The annual passenger throughput at Qingdao airport reached 25.56 million on Dec 21, marking a 22.6 percent increase compared to 2023 and setting a new record high for the airport. The annual passenger throughput is expected to exceed 26 million this year.

Throughout this year, Qingdao airport has accelerated the development of its aviation business, with multiple indicators for air passenger and cargo transportation reaching all-time highs. The annual figures for flight volume, passenger volume, and cargo volume are expected to surpass 190,000 flights, 26 million passengers, and 270,000 metric tons of cargo, respectively, representing increases of 3.9 percent, 3.2 percent, and 9.8 percent compared to previous record highs.

In recent years, Qingdao airport has continued to strengthen its role as a gateway hub for Japan, South Korea, and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) regions. It has resumed or initiated new routes to Jeju, Fukuoka, Nha Trang, and Kuala Lumpur, among others, and increased flight frequencies to Seoul, Busan, Osaka, Tokyo, and Nha Trang. Notably, the flight volume for the Qingdao-Seoul Express has risen to the top spot nationwide, with passenger volume from Japan and South Korea ranking third in the country.

Currently, there are 44 daily round-trip flights between Japan and South Korea, operating in a bus-like high-frequency mode, catering to the business and leisure needs of both domestic and foreign travelers.

This year, the passenger volume on SCO routes such as Qingdao-Moscow and Qingdao-Dubai has increased by 20 percent, while the Qingdao-Kathmandu route, the northern gateway to Nepal, has attracted numerous surrounding passengers, enhancing its reputation as the cultural and tourism capital of the SCO.