According to Hangzhou Customs, from February 15 to 23, Hangzhou International Airport (HIA) recorded 918 international commercial flights and 150,200 passenger movements, representing year-on-year increases of 8.38% and 10.49%, respectively, compared to the same Spring Festival period in 2025.

Since the start of the Spring Festival travel rush on February 2 through February 23, the port has processed a total of 2,140 international flights and 351,700 passengers, up 3.53% and 6.79% from the corresponding period last year. Passenger volume peaked on February 23, with 20,500 travelers passing through the airport—the highest single-day figure of this year’s travel season.

The holiday saw notable growth in flight frequencies to key destinations across Asia and beyond. Services to Hong Kong, Macao, and the Southeast Asia remained especially popular, with weekly flights rising to 71 and 28, respectively—up 10.9% and 16.7% year-over-year, and flights between Hangzhou and Singapore surged by 38.5%, reaching 27 weekly departures. Routes to Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, and Madrid also posted robust gains, each recording over 30% growth in scheduled capacity.

The surge aligns with China’s ongoing expansion of its visa-free “circle of friends,” which has significantly boosted inbound tourism. Many foreign visitors chose to spend the Chinese New Year by immersing themselves in traditional Chinese festivities and shopping for Chinese goods. Since the start of the holiday, Hangzhou Customs has processed 134 tax-free refund claims for departing international travelers, totaling RMB 269,000 in refunds.