Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) has cleared more than 20 million inbound and outbound travellers between 1 January and 19 July, according to figures released by the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection. The milestone—reached six weeks earlier than in 2025—highlights the pace at which international traffic is recovering and expanding in China’s commercial capital. Behind the headline number is a sharp rebound in leisure and business demand. Foreign nationals accounted for 3.29 million entries, a 22 percent year-on-year increase that authorities attribute to China’s expanded visa-free regime for 17 countries and streamlined e-arrival-card procedures on the NIA 12367 app. The airport has been operating up to 1,150 flight movements per day during the summer peak, with additional charter capacity for the FIFA World Cup moving sizeable flows to North and South America. Border officials say they have kept all inspection booths open during peak waves and rolled out automated “face + iris” passenger channels—already in use on selected Hong Kong land ports—to cut average clearance time to 18 seconds. The technologies, first piloted at the new Huanggang crossing in Shenzhen, are now being trialled at PVG’s satellite hall and will be extended to Pudong cargo terminals in August. For corporate mobility managers the data signal a return to pre-pandemic volumes and potential pressure on airline seat availability for the rest of the year. Employers are advised to secure autumn travel well in advance, particularly on trans-Pacific and Europe-bound routes where load factors have exceeded 90 percent since May. Shanghai authorities also reminded travellers that e-visas issued abroad still require in-person biometrics on first entry, and that hotel registration rules apply even to short layovers. With throughput already 10 percent above 2019 levels, Pudong is on track to handle a record 39 million international passengers in 2026—cementing its position as mainland China’s busiest gateway for global talent and cargo movers.
Source: ECNS
