A plane parks at Hangzhou International Airport. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Hangzhou International Airport in Xiaoshan district reached a new milestone on Dec 28, when its annual passenger throughput surpassed 50 million for the first time, becoming the seventh airport in China to achieve the feat in 2025.

Total passenger volume for the year is estimated at about 50.4 million, up nearly 5 percent year-on-year, including close to 5 million international and regional travelers.

The milestone coincides with the airport's 25th anniversary. Since handling just 2.98 million passengers in 2001, Hangzhou airport has recorded nearly 17-fold growth. Its average seat load factor has reached 89.1 percent, ranking first among China's top 10 airports for 24 consecutive months.

Hangzhou airport now connects 223 destinations in 35 countries and regions across five continents, served by 75 airlines, including major international carriers. Cargo operations have also surged, with international cargo volume exceeding 200,000 metric tons by late November, up 14.7 percent year-on-year.

Looking ahead, the airport plans to build a third runway and expand cargo and terminal facilities. By 2030, annual passenger throughput is expected to exceed 60 million, further strengthening Hangzhou's role as a regional aviation hub.

Officials from the airport celebrate the arrival of the 50 millionth passenger. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]