Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has reclaimed its position as China's busiest airport, handling 67.03 million passengers in the first three quarters of 2026, a 9.7 percent year-on-year increase. Among the world's top 30 airports, it posted the highest growth rate.

The airport previously topped the global rankings in 2020 with 43.77 million passengers, ending Atlanta's 20-year reign. Shanghai Pudong Airport overtook Baiyun in 2024 amid a strong recovery in international routes, but Baiyun has now bounced back.

Baiyun Airport. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]

Four key strengths drive the comeback. First, infrastructure expansion: with Terminal 3 and a fifth runway operational since October 2025, Baiyun's designed capacity has risen to 120 million passengers annually under a "five runways, three terminals" layout.

Second, differentiated route planning: while Pudong focuses on traditional routes to Europe, the United States, Japan, and South Korea, Baiyun targets Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. From January to August, it launched or expanded over 30 international passenger routes, bringing the total to over 100 international and regional destinations.

At Baiyun Airport, the world arrives and departs. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]

Third, a vast hinterland: Guangdong, China's most populous and largest foreign trade province, provides a stable passenger base, especially since western and northern Guangdong lack major hub airports. Fourth, air-rail connectivity: Baiyun Airport will connect six high-speed railways, five intercity lines, two metro lines and two expressways.

With the 140th Canton Fair and November's APEC summit in Shenzhen, Baiyun is expected to become China's second airport to surpass 90 million passengers.

In the first nine months of 2026, Baiyun Airport Port handles over 15 million inbound and outbound travelers, a year-on-year increase of more than 18.3 percent. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]