The Frankfurt ⇌ Bangkok ⇌ Haikou fifth-freedom passenger route officially takes flight on February 6, 2026. (Source: Hainan Daily)

This summer, Spanish travel operator Marta boarded the newly launched Haikou ⇌ Chongqing ⇌ Madrid service to Hainan. The flight marked the opening of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP)'s first intercontinental route to Spain, creating a convenient air link between Hainan and Southern Europe and opening a new chapter for European tourism professionals to explore the island firsthand.

As the benefits of Hainan's island-wide special customs operations continue to unfold, the tropical island is becoming more closely connected to the world than ever before.

Cross-Border Air Travel Gains Strong Momentum

Despite ongoing challenges from increasing fuel and operating expenses, Hainan's international aviation sector has shown impressive resilience.

In the first half of 2026, the island's three international airports recorded 11,400 international and regional aircraft movements and 1.4831 million passenger trips, up 28.34% and 32.36% respectively compared to the previous year, both significantly above the national growth rate. Specifically, Haikou Meilan International Airport alone handled 874,700 international and regional passengers in the first six months, representing a 29.47% increase over the previous year.

To meet the market needs, Hainan has bolstered its international connectivity by launching new routes to major destinations such as Bangkok, Tashkent, Hanoi, and Frankfurt. The province has also implemented targeted airport support and simplified customs procedures to lower airline operating costs and ensure stable services. By June's end, Hainan had expanded its international and regional passenger and cargo air network to 89 routes, connecting the island with China's Hong Kong and Macao SARs as well as 50 overseas cities across 28 countries.

Inbound Tourism Drives Consumption

Sanya Phoenix International Airport now serves as a crucial barometer for Hainan's inbound tourism revival. From January to June, it handled 630,000 cross-border passenger trips, a 35% increase over the previous period and the highest volume since the airport's inception.

Foreign nationals accounted for 83% of all cross-border travelers, with visa-free entrants making up 97% of all inbound foreign nationals.

Thanks to relaxed aviation regulations, such as fifth and seventh freedom traffic rights, Sanya now has 36 international passenger routes connecting Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Russian-speaking countries and regions. The primary inbound markets are Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus, mainly for tourism or business purposes.

The increasing number of international visitors has significantly enhanced consumer spending. In the first half of the year, customs processed about 25,000 departure tax refund claims from overseas travelers. The total value of tax-refunded purchases surpassed CNY 53 million, reflecting year-on-year growth of 20.7 times in claims and a fourfold increase in value.

International air cargo activity has continued to expand. At Haikou Meilan International Airport, fresh Musang King durians imported from Kuala Lumpur can go through customs and be shipped across the Chinese mainland within four hours of arrival. Between January and June, the airport processed 16,800 tons of international and regional cargo and mail, marking a 58.61% increase compared to the previous year.

In the second half of the year, Hainan aims to further enhance the Russian-speaking tourist market and collaborate with Hainan Airlines to increase capacity on routes to Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Additionally, the province will explore emerging markets in Europe, North America, and Central Asia to diversify international visitor sources and further bolster the Hainan FTP's global aviation network.