Inbound passengers line up for border procedures at Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Dec. 18, 2025. China on Thursday launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). (Photo：Xinhua)

The total number of passengers at the Hainan Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, South China’s Hainan Province in 2025, has set a new record high on Saturday, the state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) News reported on Sunday. 

As of December 20, the airport recorded a cumulative total of 133,599 flight take-offs and landings so far this year, witnessing total passengersof 21.849 million, and cargo throughput amounting to 113,000 tons. These figures represent year-on-year growth of 7.0 percent, 5.8 percent, and 16.3 percent, respectively, according to the report.

Among these, the number of passengers set a new historical record. International passenger volume reached 895,000, surging 46.6 percent year-on-year—a particularly standout performance that starts to demonstrate the international appeal of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP).

China on Thursday launches island-wide special customs operations in Hainan Province, the world's largest FTP by space.

Currently, the Sanya airport has opened a total of 41 international routes, with its network covering 32 international destinations in Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and Europe. The “Air Silk Road” network with Sanya serving as a pivot continues to expand densely, effectively promoting interconnectivity with all Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, the CCTV News report said.

Global Times