This year, air traffic over Xi'an has significantly increased. In July alone, Xi'an Xianyang International Airport handled 31,000 flights and transported over 4.51 million passengers, setting historical records.

This means that approximately 1,000 flights pass over Xi'an daily, with 146,000 people arriving or departing from Shaanxi province.

On Aug 14, the inaugural direct flight from Xi'an to Koh Samui was launched, reducing travel time and costs for over 120 passengers. The flight reached the Thai island in about 4.5 hours.

This route marked the sixth international passenger route opened at the airport this year. As a crucial transportation hub, it is the largest airport with the strongest support capacity in Northwest China.

Passengers line up for security check at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport during the summer rush. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

During the summer travel peak, the airport has enhanced service quality. Employing policies like the 144-hour visa-free transit policy stimulates consumption and helps position the airport as the "Best Airport for Transfers in China".

Following the successful coverage of six cities in the five Central Asian countries in 2023, the airport extended its reach by adding the Xi'an to Samarkand route in June, bringing the total to seven cities in the five Central Asian countries.

Xi'an has become a preferred entry point for travelers from Central Asia to China. Data from the Shaanxi Immigration Inspection Station shows that by Aug 14, Xi'an had inspected over 760 flights to and from the five Central Asian countries and processed over 71,000 passengers, a significant increase compared to the previous year.

As China embarks on a new decade of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Shaanxi, a critical node, intensifies its involvement by advancing the Air Silk Road, positioning itself as an international aviation hub connecting countries and regions involved in the BRI.

The airport's routes currently cover 54 cities in 27 countries, reflecting the region's growing significance in global connectivity.