Urumqi Tianshan International Airport in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has recorded a surge in passengers, reflecting its growing role as a western gateway and regional aviation hub.

The airport handled over 251,000 cross-border passengers in the first quarter of 2026, up 54.5% year on year, with visa-free entries surging 129% to more than 37,000 — accounting for 77.1% of all inbound foreigners. Citizens from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Russia made up 65.7% of visa-free travelers, mainly for business, tourism, and family visits.