A China Eastern Airlines jet takes off as another plane taxis on the runway at Ningbo Lishe International Airport in Zhejiang province. [Photo/IC]

Airports in Zhejiang province are expected to handle 2.2 million passenger trips during this year's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday from Oct 1 to 8, according to Zhejiang Provincial Airport Group. The figure represents an average of 275,000 trips per day, up about 3 percent from 2024.

International and regional traffic is forecast to reach 154,000 passenger trips, or 22,000 daily, nearly 29 percent higher than a year earlier. Peak travel is expected from Sept 30 to Oct 1, with return flows concentrated between Oct 7 and 8.

Popular domestic destinations include Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Kunming, Chongqing, Guiyang, and Xi'an. Overseas travel demand is focused on East and Southeast Asia, with Hong Kong, Macao, Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, and Singapore among the top choices. Industry observers said South Korea's visa-free policy for Chinese tour groups during the holiday is expected further to boost demand for routes to Japan and South Korea.

To meet rising travel demand, Hangzhou International Airport has added flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Dubai while increasing frequencies on other international routes.

Ningbo Lishe International Airport has set up dedicated rest areas for special-needs passengers and expanded its luggage delivery program to cover 15 additional four- and five-star hotels.

With international traffic increasing, airports are working to improve customs clearance and boarding efficiency.

Hangzhou International Airport, in cooperation with airlines, has expanded the use of mobile boarding passes. Carriers including Korean Air and All Nippon Airways now fully support electronic boarding passes for outbound flights, enabling passengers without checked luggage to proceed directly through security, bypassing manual check-in.