The annual total passenger throughput of the three major airports in south China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) has exceeded 50 million people for the first time in 2025, as the tropical island advances its opening-up drive.
The three airports, namely Haikou Meilan International Airport, Sanya Phoenix International Airport, and Qionghai Bo'ao International Airport, witnessed a historical moment when two flights landed in Haikou on Tuesday.
On Dec 18, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan FTP, the world's largest FTP by area, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanded zero-tariff coverage and more business-friendly measures.
The move is widely seen as a landmark step in China's ongoing efforts to promote free trade and expand high-standard opening-up amid rising protectionism worldwide.
Under the new arrangements, the tropical island, covering more than 30,000 square kilometers, has been designated as a special customs supervision zone. This marks a new stage in the development of the Hainan FTP, which enables freer flows of goods, capital, personnel, and data, supported by zero tariffs, low tax rates, and a simplified tax system.
Embracing the new stage, the FTP's civil aviation service providers are collaborating to establish an efficient, convenient and safe air service system to build the island into an international aviation hub and ensure the high-quality development of the sector.
Hainan's major airports handle record number of over 50 mln passengers in 2025
