Shanghai sees surge in international arrivals

Shanghai handled 36.47 million international passengers in 2024, a 95.3 percent year-on-year increase, with 35.10 million air passengers and 1.37 million cruisers, solidifying its position as China's leading aviation and cruise hub.

The Shanghai Airport Authority reported achievements in 2024, with total passenger throughput exceeding a record 124 million, a 29 percent year-on-year increase. The airports managed 803,000 flights throughout the year, up 15 percent from 2023, while cargo and mail handling reached 4.21 million tons, showing an 11 percent growth.

The city's airports enhanced their global connectivity, adding 10 new destinations and increasing the frequency of 19 existing routes. The network covers 291 destinations across 48 countries, with more medium - and long-haul flights operating as well as more flights to and from participating countries in the Belt and Road initiative.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport maintained its position as China's busiest international airport, processing 3.89 million foreign passengers, with the transfer rate climbing to a record 15.7 percent.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport handled approximately 3.33 million international passengers, a 16.62 percent increase from 2023. The airport now operates 54 routes to five countries and regions in East Asia, averaging over 9,100 daily passengers.

The Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection processed over 36 million entries and exits in 2024, an 85 percent increase from 2023. Air border checkpoints handled 33.99 million passengers, maintaining Shanghai's 22-year streak as China's busiest air entry point.

Foreign national entries doubled to 4.56 million, with visa-free entries increasing 4.7-fold to 1.67 million. South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, and Germany led the visa-free entries.

The cruise sector showed remarkable recovery, with Shanghai's ports handling 464 cruise ships, approximately 50 percent of China's total cruise traffic.

The sector served over 1.37 million passengers, with Chinese mainland travelers accounting for 94 percent of the total, demonstrating strong growth in the cruise tourism market.

Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism reported receiving over 6 million international visitors in 2024, establishing the city as China's primary entry point for international tourism.

The city also launched various initiatives to enhance the visitor experience, including 120 premium tour routes, the Shanghai Pass payment solution and free travel routes for international visitors.

The Shanghai free half-day tour program, launched in April, has served over 4,000 international visitors, according to the online travel service provider Ctrip. The Hongqiao immigration inspection station implemented new measures such as online entry card registration for foreigners and seventh-generation smart channels to improve efficiency.

Shanghai's airports continued to enhance their infrastructure and services, while improving their logistics capabilities, introducing new cross-border e-commerce handling systems, and establishing direct cargo routes within the Yangtze River Delta region.

As Shanghai continues to strengthen its position as an international aviation hub, the city's immigration and customs authorities are focusing on technological innovation and service optimization. These improvements aim to facilitate smoother international travel while maintaining security standards.