Passengers wait in line for customs clearance at Hangzhou International Airport. [Photo/Zhejiang Online]

China's 2026 Spring Festival travel rush began on Feb 2 and will run through March 13. Hangzhou International Airport in Xiaoshan district expects more than 500,000 inbound and outbound passengers during the 40-day period, supported by about 3,300 international passenger flights.

On the first morning alone, nine outbound flights departed between 8:00 and 9:00 am for destinations including Singapore and Bangkok, signaling a sharp rise in traffic. During the nine-day Spring Festival holiday from Feb 15 to 23, the airport is projected to handle over 780 international flights and around 130,000 cross-border passengers.

With visa-free access expanding, demand for overseas travel remains strong. Flights between Hangzhou and destinations such as Singapore, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur and Madrid are up by over 30 percent, while Hong Kong, Macao and Southeast Asia remain top choices.

To ensure smooth clearance, airport customs has rolled out smart E-Customs service stations, strengthened coordination with airlines and airport operators, and deployed AI-assisted inspections, aiming to keep border checks efficient and services uninterrupted throughout the travel peak.

Hangzhou International Airport. [Photo/Zhejiang Online]