Passenger flow grew slowly in China’s big airports but quickly in second-tier cities in 2013

Ranked by passenger flow, Beijing Capital International Airport again became China's largest and the world's second largest airport in 2013, but only experienced a 2.2% growth over last year. The passenger flow of BCIA has reached a stable level, but once the second airport is built, the Beijing airports may experience a surge in passenger numbers. The passenger flow of Shanghai's two airports kept a moderate growth rate of 5%, while the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (the second largest airport in China) had an 8.6% increase in passenger flow over the previous year.

The passenger flow increased sharply in the airports of China's second-tier cities. Kunming Airport, located in southern China, became the No. 1 with a growth of 23.9%. The new airport which was put into use in mid-2012 is an important factor in this substantial growth in passenger flow. This is in sharp contrast to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, which is expected to see a slow growth in the following several years. Tianjin Airport and Guiyang Airport also become fast growing airports, with a 20% increase in passenger flow.

Passenger flow of BCIA grew slowly

Beijing Capital International Airport has kept the title of the largest airport in China with a passenger flow of 83.7 million. However, the modest 2.2% increase is the slowest growth rate of the last five years. BCIA also saw the slowest growth rate out of the ten million passenger level airport groups in China. Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport counted as the second and third slowest airports with a growth rate of 5.1% and 5.2% respectively.

This year’s growth rate of 2.2% is much slower than the 17% seen in 2009. BCIA still retains a particularly high level of passenger flow. The slow growth is attributed to the limitations of the terminal gates.

Unless BCIA initiates major airport facility reform, there won’t be a big increase in passenger flow until the opening of Beijing’s second airport.

Passenger flow of Kunming Airport grew fastest

With a 23.9% increase, Kunming Airport's passenger flow growth became China’s fastest in 2013. Tianjin Airport became the second fastest with a growth rate of 23.3%. However, Tianjin Airport's passenger flow was only one third of Kunming Airport's. (The number for Tianjin Airport is 10 million, and the number for the Kunming airport is 29.7 million.)

Passenger flow of Shanghai Pudong Airport will grow rapidly

Passenger flow of Shanghai’s two airports maintained a 5% growth rate, which was 2.2% more than BCIA. However this was the lowest growth rate seen in recent years.

Passenger flow of Guangzhou Baiyun Airport grew fast

Although the growth rate has slowed somewhat these years, Guangzhou Baiyun Airport is still ranked No.1 in growth out of China’s 5 largest airports.

Other second-tier cities

The 23.9% growth rate of Kunming Airport made it the airport with fastest growth rate. The next two airports are Tianjin Airport with a growth rate of 23.3% and Guiyang Airport with a growth rate of 19.7%.

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