Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport serves Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. It is on the east bank of the Pearl River near Huangtian and Fuyong villages in Bao'an District, northwest of the city centre. It is a hub for Shenzhen Airlines and Shenzhen Donghai Airlines and for cargo airline SF Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines. The airport also serves as an Asian-Pacific cargo hub for UPS Airlines. The airport underwent major expansions in the 2010s, with a second runway opening in 2011, and a new terminal in 2013.
It is one of the three largest airports serving the Pearl River Delta, alongside Hong Kong International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. The airport has direct ferry routes to Hong Kong International Airport, where passengers can transit without going through immigration and custom checks.
History
The airport was opened on 12 October 1991. It occupies an area of . Its first runway is 3400 m long and 45 m wide, and it has 53 parking spaces on its apron. Shenzhen airport handled 49,348,950 passengers in 2018, according to Civil Aviation Administration of China, making it the fifth busiest in mainland China. The airport was also China's fourth busiest and world's 24th busiest airport in terms of cargo traffic, registering 1,218,502.2 tonnes of freight in 2018. In terms of passenger movements, Shenzhen airport was the 5th busiest airport in China in 2018. Air China launched the first intercontinental air route out of Shenzhen, to Frankfurt Airport, Germany, on 21 May 2016.
Former terminals
Terminal A and B primarily served domestic flights. Terminal D, the international terminal, was opened in December 2008. It had no air gates of its own, just airside bus service to distant positions around the airport. These terminals covered an area of and consisted of 24 jetways. All three former terminals were closed on 27 November 2013, with the brand new replacement Terminal 3 opening the following day.
Current terminal
At the beginning of 2008 the long new terminal commenced being built as one of main works for the 2011 Summer Universiade. This new terminal building was called "Terminal 3" from the beginning of construction until its formal opening. Soon after the decision of the closure of Terminals A, B and D, "Terminal 3" was renamed as it was the only terminal building in operation. The terminal was opened on 28 November 2013 after 4 years of planning and construction.
Further expansions
A new satellite concourse, designed by Aedas, is under planning and construction.
Passenger transport facilities
The passenger transport facilities are divided into three parts: a main terminal building and two large corridors— long and wide—that form a cross shape. The current terminal is three times the size of former Terminals A and B, with of floor space, 62 boarding gates and the ability to accommodate any type of plane in the world. The main building has four floors above ground and two floors underground. A connecting Ground Transport Center adjoins the terminal to the south. The main building's third floor is the waiting area for domestic and international flights, which depart from the east wing.
Airlines and destinations
Passenger
Cargo
Ground transportation
Ground Transportation Center
The baggage areas are a short walks away from the Ground Transportation Center (GTC), where passengers can take buses, taxis and Shenzhen Metro trains. The transportation center offers local and long-distance bus services on the first floor, with taxi and Airport Express Shuttle 330 bus services on the second floor. The underground floor connects with Airport Station on Metro Line 11. Bus M416 also provides a shuttle service to Hourui Station on Line 1. In the future, it will also connect to the Guangzhou-Dongguan-Shenzhen Intercity Railway, which is under construction. Regular bus and minibus services links the Airport with the rest of the city. Intercity bus services to some other nearby cities such as Hong Kong and Dongguan are also available.
Local taxis, and often some taxis from Dongguan, can pick up passengers there from three designated waiting areas. These areas have the capacity to handle 21 taxi cabs picking up passengers simultaneously.
Metro / Rail
Airport station on Line 11 has direct link to the Ground Transport Center of the current Terminal, with eastbound service from the airport via Bao'an and Nanshan to Futian station, connecting with Futian railway station High Speed Rail services, and westbound service via Fuyong, Shajing and Songgang to Bitou.