Han Ximin

SHENZHEN International Airport, the fourth-busiest airport in China, saw its 20 millionth passenger of the year yesterday.

Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou are currently the three busiest airports in the country, with 50 million, 45 million and 30 million passengers this year respectively.

The Shenzhen airport, which recorded 10 million passengers in 2003, saw that figure double to 20 million in four years.

At a ceremony yesterday, Huang Chuanqi, president of Shenzhen Airport Group Corp., attributed the growth to the fast social and economic development of Shenzhen.

“The breakthrough also marks the success of the airport’s strategy to extend its service to potential passengers in the Pearl River Delta area,” said Huang.

In 2007, the Shenzhen airport set up terminals in nine cities including Hong Kong, Macao, Huizhou and Zhongshan and provided bus and air connections to other Delta cities. This move greatly increased the number of passengers from neighboring cities.

The airport also increased its attraction to airline companies by canceling night flight fees, offering subsidies for new routes and organizing promotions in Southeast Asian countries.

The company is speeding up construction of a new terminal and when its second runway and new navigation tower are in operation in 2011, the airport’s handling capacity will reach 24 million passengers a year. The cargo throughput will reach 1 million tons.

“The Shenzhen airport will take chances to cooperate with the Hong Kong airport to enhance its competitive edge and create a win-win situation for the two airports which have distinguished advantages in serving domestic and international passengers,” said Huang.

Shenzhen and Hong Kong governments are working on a specific plan for a rail link between airports of the two cities to boost air traffic. A joint task force will be established to explore the feasibility of the railway and formulate a plan early next year.