During the National Day holiday period, Sanxia Airport recorded a total of 835 aircraft movements and handled 100,000 passenger trips. From October 1 to 7, the airport supported 606 takeoffs and landings and transported 74,000 passengers. The first return peak occurred on October 6, when 92 flights were operated and passenger throughput reached 11,700.
Travel demand was concentrated during the National Day holiday, and the airport's route network advantages were fully demonstrated. A total of 41 domestic and international routes were operated, connecting 50 destinations. Popular cities included Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Kunming, Wenzhou, Urumqi, Zhuhai, Sanya, and Qingdao, with an average load factor exceeding 85%.
Meanwhile, the airport port experienced its busiest holiday for inbound and outbound travel. During the period, the airport's border inspection station processed 3,900 inbound and outbound passengers and 32 international and regional flights, representing year-on-year increases of 58.3% and 77.8%, respectively. Foreign nationals accounted for 68.8% of passengers, fully highlighting Yichang's appeal and vitality in opening up to the outside world.
To ensure safe, smooth, and comfortable travel for passengers, Sanxia Airport coordinated capacity allocation and on-site service support throughout the holiday. In terms of route capacity, the airport actively coordinated with airlines to increase frequencies on popular routes. During the National Day period, daily flights to and from Beijing reached 4 to 5, while Guangzhou routes operated 2 to 3 flights per day, achieving multi-time-period coverage. Starting October 2, the direct route from Yichang to Cheongju, South Korea, resumed operations every Monday and Friday, offering passengers more travel options during the holiday.
In terms of passenger services, Sanxia Airport dynamically opened additional counters in core areas such as check-in and security screening based on real-time passenger flow, keeping green channels open for travelers and ensuring convenient passage for late-arriving, urgent, and special-needs passengers. According to statistics, during the combined National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, the airport assisted over 500 special-needs, late-arriving, and urgent passengers, recorded more than 10 instances of good deeds, and received over 20 commendations from passengers, warming their journeys with meticulous service.
In terms of port clearance, the airport's border inspection station introduced an innovative mechanism of flexible deployment and dynamic reinforcement to ensure sufficient staffing during peak periods and at key posts. At the same time, it actively promoted online information filing for foreign arrivals and arranged volunteers to provide one-on-one assistance to elderly passengers, children, and first-time inbound travelers, making port services both efficient and warm.
With the holiday now over, some passengers have yet to return. Sanxia Airport reminds travelers to plan their trips reasonably, pay timely attention to flight updates, and allow sufficient time for check-in and security procedures. Airfare prices are gradually declining after the holiday, making it an ideal time for off-peak travel, when passengers can enjoy a more relaxed and affordable journey.