Ningbo airport sees five-year high in holiday passenger traffic

A customs officer at Ningbo Lishe International Airport guides passengers through customs. [Photo by Wang Haifen/Tide News]

During the Mid-Autumn and National Day holiday, Ningbo Lishe International Airport recorded its highest international passenger traffic in five years. From Oct 1 to 8, the airport processed 25,933 international travelers, a 13.55 percent year-on-year increase.

This surge was driven by expanding visa-free travel options. China's mutual visa exemption with Russia and South Korea's visa-free policy for Chinese tour groups significantly boosted outbound travel. A total of 1,444 passengers flew to South Korea from Ningbo during the holiday, a 39.92 percent increase from last year.

Inbound tourism also benefited from improved instant tax refund services for overseas visitors. Customs processed 1.05 million yuan ($147,289) in refund claims by foreign visitors — over 105 times more than the same period in the previous year.

Popular destinations included Hong Kong and Macao, which accounted for 44 percent of outbound travelers. Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam made up 18 percent of the total.

To manage the increased traffic, Ningbo Customs enhanced clearance efficiency by 50 percent, supported by smart technologies. Facial recognition gates, non-intrusive baggage screening, and AI-powered inspection tools ensured fast and secure processing. Devices like AR glasses and 5G-enabled tablets helped identify high-risk luggage while allowing compliant passengers to pass through smoothly.