This photo taken on May 5, 2023 shows a view of the Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, which is undergoing reconstruction and expansion, in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Wang Zichen/Xinhua)
URUMQI, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The aviation market in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is experiencing significant growth.
A total of 42 airlines are currently operating in the region, creating a network of 420 routes, Xinjiang Airport Group Co., Ltd. said Saturday.
The development has greatly facilitated passenger mobility, with the total passenger throughput at Xinjiang's airports surpassing 30 million for this year alone, the company said.
Situated in a remote region rich in tourism resources, Xinjiang has garnered the interest of many domestic carriers eager to tap into its burgeoning aviation market.
The Xinjiang branch of China Southern Airlines, a key player in the local aviation sector, has resumed 11 routes from the regional capital Urumqi to destinations in Central and West Asia.
During the summer and autumn flight seasons, Tianjin Airlines has introduced and expanded services on 15 popular routes in Xinjiang to cater to the diverse travel needs of passengers.
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance its aviation infrastructure, Xinjiang is carrying out an expansion project at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport.
Two runways and 177 parking stands will be added upon completion of this project, increasing the annual passenger throughput capacity to 48 million and cargo handling capacity to 550,000 tonnes.
According to the airport group, at present, there are 25 civil transport airports in Xinjiang, topping China's provincial-level regions. It is estimated that the number of airports in use and under construction will reach 33 by the end of 2025. ■
