Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Tuo Ya) news: As of October 9, 2023, the passenger throughput of Urumqi Diwopu International Airport has exceeded 20 million, reaching this milestone 11 days earlier compared to 2019. This is the third time the airport has achieved this milestone since 2016 and 2019.

Photo shows an airplane takes off from Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in Urumqi City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Liu Yan)

Since the beginning of this year, with the rapid development of tourism, trade and other industries in Xinjiang, the air transport market in Xinjiang has fully recovered and continued to improve. According to statistics, as of October 9, 2023, Urumqi Diwopu International Airport had a total annual passenger throughput of 20.077 million people, a total cargo and mail throughput of 116,000 tons, and a total number of takeoffs and landings of 140,000 times. This is equivalent to 104.3%, 89.3% and 98.3% of the same period in 2019, respectively.

So far this year, the peak day for passenger throughput at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport has occurred on August 5, 2023, with 97,000 passengers being transported that day; the peak day for takeoffs and landings has occurred on July 21, 2023, with 581 takeoffs and landings being carried out on that day.

Yang Huaifeng from Fukang City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, became the 20 millionth passenger of Urumqi Diwopu International Airport this year. She said, "Due to my work, I often fly to various places in southern and northern Xinjiang. Air travel provides convenience for daily work and life. The convenient measures of Urumqi Diwopu International Airport are in place, and the service measures such as dynamic notifications and transit are very attentive."

Photo taken on October 9, 2023 shows passengers check in at the T2 terminal of Urumqi Diwopu International Airport in Urumqi City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Tuo Ya)

This year, Urumqi Diwopu International Airport has deepened the construction of double hubs, continuously enriched its flight network, and fully restored passenger routes from Urumqi to five Central Asian countries, as well as Iran, Georgia and other countries.

Currently, there are 39 airlines operating regular flights at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (including one cargo airline), with a total of 215 routes, including 196 domestic passenger routes, 3 domestic cargo routes, and 16 international passenger routes. In terms of domestic routes, the daily flight frequencies from Urumqi to various cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai are all above 15; and the daily flight frequencies to cities within Xinjiang such as Kashgar and Hotan are all above 7.

In terms of international routes, as of October 9, Urumqi Diwopu International Airport is estimated to have completed the international passenger throughput of 220,000 people, and has resumed flights with 13 international cities such as Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, and Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Kong Xiangji, service director of Urumqi Diwopu International Airport Branch of Xinjiang Airport (Group) Co., Ltd., said that this year Urumqi Diwopu International Airport has made concerted efforts to ensure safety and service, and has improved the efficiency of collaborative operation management, and reduced flight cancellations and delays.

Kong Xiangji said that the construction of the North Terminal Area of Urumqi Diwopu International Airport is being accelerated, and the project in completion will meet the passenger throughput of 48 million in 2025.

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