Urumqi Tianshan Airport serves 1.1 mln passengers and 14,000 flights in 2025‌

Xinjiang Urumqi Tianshan International Airport in China served ‌over 1.1 million inbound and outbound passenger trips‌ and ‌14,000 international and regional flights‌ in 2025, ‌both setting records‌.

It is a historic leap in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region's opening up to the outside world as a key hub of the Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2025, the airport continuously expanded its international network, adding ‌3 new international passenger and cargo routes‌.

The number of connected cities reached ‌25‌, covering ‌17 countries and regions‌, including Kazakhstan, the UAE, Türkiye, etc.

Flights to Central Asia accounted for nearly 42 percent ‌of the total, highlighting Xinjiang's core position in the "China-Central Asia" air corridor.

Peng Hongyi, deputy team leader of Urumqi Entry-Exit Frontier Inspection Station, said the total number of inbound and outbound passengers surged by 62 percent year over year, while the volume of international flights inspected rose by 82 percent. These figures underscore the port's pivotal role as a key gateway for international travel.

Following China's visa-free policies for Uzbekistan, Russia, and other countries, Urumqi has seen a significant surge in international passenger flow and flight volume.

The port currently has an average of 270 international flights per week, and single-day passenger throughput has reached a new peak of 5,000, solidifying Urumqi's position as a major gateway for international travelers.

Mamadova Rusanna, an international student at a university in Wuhan, said that during her transit at Urumqi airport, the Chinese border inspection staff were exceptionally friendly and provided enthusiastic assistance throughout the process.

Liu Ruixue, a Chinese tourist, said she found the airport more convenient than before and hopes that in the new year, she can travel to more countries from it.

Looking ahead, Xinjiang's expanding international routes and visa-free policies are set to further strengthen people-to-people ties, boost trade efficiency, and enrich cultural exchanges along the Belt and Road partner countries. The port is not just moving passengers, it's fueling a new era of shared dreams.