With National Day coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, travel demand surged. Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport successfully completed its Double Festival transport operations, handling 4,903 flight movements—up 5% year on year—and serving 722,000 passengers, a 4% increase. Daily passenger traffic exceeded 90,000, peaking at 93,000 on October 1, with operations remaining safe, stable, and well-organized throughout.
Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport strengthened its full-service operations and extensive route network to ensure smooth travel for domestic and international passengers to meet the surge in travel demand during the holiday season. The airport continued to optimize its domestic route structure to increase flight frequencies on key air corridors connecting Shanghai, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Harbin, and Shenyang, as well as on popular routes to Kunming, Urumqi, Hohhot, and Hailar. Services to destinations such as Wuyishan and Qiqihar were raised to more than 7 flights per week. The airport also expanded its presence in the Yellow River Basin, adding new destinations—Longnan, Changzhi, Nanchong, and Nanyang—and increasing flights on quasi-express routes to Yinchuan and Lanzhou to form a wider and more connected air network that offers travelers greater convenience.
International and regional routes also saw strong growth. Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport continued to strengthen its role as a key hub for Japan and South Korea, operating an average of 52 round trips per day—effectively achieving shuttle-style frequency. Medium- and long-haul routes to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur and Moscow were also expanded, supported by favorable visa-free policies. International and regional passenger traffic rose 27% year on year, with Japan and South Korea routes up more than 30%, and passenger numbers on the Kuala Lumpur and Moscow routes more than doubling. Inbound tourism was particularly robust: according to Qunar Travel, Qingdao ranked among the top 10 most popular Chinese cities among foreign visitors. During the holiday period, the airport handled 13,800 inbound foreign travelers, up 110% from last year, 79% of whom entered under visa-free policies—a share that continues to grow.
In terms of operational support, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport efficiently coordinated service resources and dynamically adjusted staffing across check-in, security, and information counters to maintain smooth and efficient passenger flow. Special assistance was provided for unaccompanied minors, elderly travelers, first-time flyers, and passengers with infants, including full-journey guidance, wheelchair reservations, and baggage assistance. Dedicated family lanes were also set up in security areas to streamline screening for parents and children to further improve convenience and comfort.
To cope with continuous rainfall during the holiday season, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport promptly activated its emergency response plan to monitor weather conditions in real time and ensure that early warnings were issued promptly. Key areas such as the airfield, terminal buildings, and drainage systems were thoroughly inspected to ensure equipment integrity and smooth water flow. Patrols were also increased to maintain flight safety and ensure passengers could travel without disruption.
To create a festive atmosphere, the terminals were decorated with hanging lanterns, red fluttering national flags, and cheerful holiday displays. Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport also organized a series of themed activities to offer travelers a warm and engaging experience. The passenger terminal hosted a Guess the Lantern Riddles event where passengers could enjoy traditional culture while waiting for their flights. In the international security area, interactive quizzes introduced air travel knowledge in a fun way. The nursing room was transformed into a children's play space that featured storytelling sessions and parent-child activities to add a touch of holiday warmth. On the day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, in collaboration with All Nippon Airways, the airport held a Gachapon Collectible Toy Giveaway event, with check-in staff dressed in Hanfu presenting festive surprises to travelers.
From route expansion to thoughtful services, from efficient operations to festive ambience, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport upheld safety as its foundation and service as its core, delivering sincerity and attention to detail to make every journey smoother and every holiday more enjoyable.
