Harbin Taiping International Airport is experiencing a spike in passenger numbers due to the seven-day Chinese Spring Festival holidays which started on Feb 15.

Harbin in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province is recognized as the second most popular travel destination in China during the holidays, according to statistical data from China’s travel agencies.

Statistics released by Heilongjiang Airport Group reveal that Harbin airport handled 2,930 flights, and 430,000 passengers from Feb 15 to 21, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.2 percent and 6.8 percent respectively. This time around, it hit a new record on the growth rate of Harbin airport’s passenger flow.

The average passenger flow arriving at Harbin airport is around 30,000 tourists during the seven-day period, seeing a year-on-year growth of 20 percent. Most of the passengers came from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xiamen, Fuzhou, Hangzhou and Shenzhen, as well as Singapore, Thailand and South Korea.

Meanwhile, the average passenger load factor has reached 85 percent.

Harbin airport saw increasing returning passenger flow starting on Feb 18, the fourth day of the Chinese Spring Festival holidays; and it handled 64,342 passengers. The passenger flow reached its peak on Feb 20, handling 66,137 passengers.

Staff members of Harbin airport said the flights heading to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Kunming, Hangzhou, Yantai, Qingdao and Jinan are extremely busy, as students’ winter holidays are also nearing its end. Tourists should book tickets in advance to avoid the delay of travel plan. Meanwhile, the situation of ticket shortage is anticipated to last until Feb 25.

To cope with the peak of passenger flow, Air China, China South Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Hainan Airlines have arranged extra large passenger aircraft such as Boeing B787 and Airbus A330.

Meanwhile, Harbin airport opened extra security check channels, check-in counters and fast green channels for children, the elderly and the pregnant to shorten waiting times.

 Harbin Taiping International Airport handled 2,930 flights, and 430,000 passengers during the seven-day Chinese Spring Festival holidays starting from Feb 15 to 21, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.2 percent and 6.8 percent.[Photo/Chinanews.com]

Passengers accept security check before boarding planes at Harbin Taiping International Airport during the travel push over the Chinese Spring Festival holiday period.[Photo/Chinanews.com]

Passengers check in at Harbin Taiping International Airport.[Photo/Chinanews.com]

Harbin Taiping International Airport saw the peak of returning passenger flow starting on Feb 18.[Photo/Chinanews.com]