Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Jacky Cheung · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
IATA	CAN
ICAO	ZGGG
Owner	Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport Co., Ltd.
Operator	Guangdong Airport Authority
City-served	Guangzhou
Location	Baiyun District and Huadu District
Hub	* China Southern Airlines * 9 Air * FedEx Express * SF Airlines
Metric-elev	15
Elevation-m	15
Elevation-f	49
Coordinates	23, 23, 33, N...
Website	www.gbiac.net

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is the primary international airport serving the city of Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province in Southern China. As a major aviation hub for the Pearl River Delta region, it is a primary hub for China Southern Airlines, the largest carrier in Asia, and a focus city for Shenzhen Airlines. The airport features two large passenger terminals and three runways, handling a significant volume of both domestic and international traffic.

History

The original airport, located in the Baiyun District closer to the city center, began operations in the 1930s and was significantly expanded over the decades to serve as a key gateway during China's reform and opening-up period. Due to urban encroachment and capacity constraints, a new facility was constructed in Huadu District, with the relocation project receiving approval from the State Council of the People's Republic of China. The new airport opened on August 5, 2004, replacing the old one, which was then closed and redeveloped. Its development was a critical part of the infrastructure preparations for the 2010 Asian Games held in Guangzhou.

Terminals and facilities

The airport operates two main passenger terminals. Terminal 1, designed by the American architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, opened with the new airport and features a distinctive soaring roof. The larger Terminal 2, designed by the British firm Foster + Partners and opened in 2018, is primarily used by the anchor tenant China Southern Airlines and its SkyTeam partners, including Delta Air Lines and Korean Air. The airport also hosts extensive cargo facilities operated by logistics giants like FedEx Express, which runs its Asia-Pacific hub here, and SF Airlines, supporting the region's robust manufacturing and export economy.

Airlines and destinations

As a major global hub, it connects Guangzhou to over 200 destinations worldwide. The dominant carrier is China Southern Airlines, which operates an extensive network covering cities across Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania, including flights to Los Angeles, London, and Sydney. Other Chinese carriers such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and Hainan Airlines maintain significant operations. International services are provided by a wide array of carriers including Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines.

Ground transportation

The airport is integrated into Guangzhou's metropolitan transit network via Line 3 of the Guangzhou Metro, which provides a direct, high-speed rail link to the city center. The Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link also connects through Guangzhou South railway station, accessible via metro. Several intercity coach services and long-distance taxi stands operate at the transportation center. A major expansion project is the upcoming Guangzhou Baiyun Railway Station, part of the Guangzhou–Qingyuan intercity railway, which will further enhance high-speed rail connectivity.

Statistics

It consistently ranks among the busiest airports in the world by both passenger traffic and cargo throughput. In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it handled over 73 million passengers, making it the busiest airport in China and the 11th busiest globally. It is also a top-tier air cargo hub, regularly ranking within the top 20 globally, facilitated by the operations of FedEx Express and integration with the manufacturing centers of the Pearl River Delta.

Accidents and incidents

The old airport was the site of a significant accident on October 2, 1990, when a hijacked Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737 collided with two other aircraft on the ground, resulting in 128 fatalities. Since the relocation to the new site, safety records have been strong. A notable incident occurred in 2015 when China Southern Airlines Flight 3739, an Airbus A330, made an emergency return following an engine failure shortly after takeoff, landing safely without injuries.

Category:Airports in China Category:Transport in Guangzhou Category:Buildings and structures in Guangdong