the customs at the shenzhen airport will introduce around-the-clock clearance, likely in mid-november, for cargo and travelers to make way for the opening of more international air routes.
currently airport customs only operates between 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., while both traveler numbers and cargo turnover at the shenzhen airport have grown.
the number of travelers going through the airport in 2014 reached 36.27 million, ranking fifth among chinese cities.
the number of international travelers going through the shenzhen airport reached 1.24 million last year. between january and june the number reached 793,000, an increase of 43.8 percent over the same period last year.
"the rise of international travelers has pushed the airport to consider around-the-clock customs clearance, which will also lay the foundation for the shenzhen airport to open more international flights," said long qiang, manager with the aviation business department of the shenzhen airport shareholding co.
in 2014, 4.32 million local residents traveled abroad with 90 percent choosing to fly out of hong kong or guangzhou.
after the introduction of 24-hour customs clearance, china southern airlines will open a direct flight from shenzhen to sydney, australia, starting dec. 1.
the shenzhen airport can handle more travelers since terminal 3 was put into operation at the end of 2013. by the end of 2020, the traveler turnover of the shenzhen airport is expected to reach 55 million and international passenger turnover will reach 5.5 million a year.
the shenzhen airport now operates 18 international air routes to 20 airports in japan, south korea, malaysia, thailand, singapore, indonesia, vietnam and mauritius.
"the shenzhen airport is being treated as a main-line airport instead of a pivotal airport. it is at a disadvantage when authorities consider allocation of international route resources and create new policies," said long.
"the 24/7 customs clearance will ensure the opening of international flights, and will especially stimulate passenger flow from southeast asian countries, which are four hours away by plane," said long.(han ximin)
