Owais Crawford
China is home to more than 200 airports, including international, domestic, military, and private airports. As of 30 May 2023, the State Council of the People's Republic of China established 83 aviation ports, with 63 airports approved to rename themselves as International Airports. Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), for example, has been ranked as the busiest airport in Asia and the second busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), located about 28 km from downtown Guangzhou, was ranked the 11th busiest airport in the world in 2019 and became the busiest airport in the world in 2020 due to the outbreak of the pandemic. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), located about 16 km from the main city of Chengdu, is another major airport in West China.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport name | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport |
| Former name | Canton Civil Airport (White Cloud) or Pai Yuen Airport |
| Airport code | CAN |
| IATA code derivation | Guangzhou’s historical romanization Canton |
| ICAO code | ZGGG |
| Location | Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China |
| Distance from city centre | 28 km |
| Year opened | 1933 |
| Year closed | 2004 |
| Passenger traffic (2017) | 65,806,977 |
| Cargo traffic (2017) | Third-busiest in China, 19th-busiest worldwide |
| Aircraft movements | Third-busiest in China |
| Dining options | Chinese, Western, and international cuisine, fast food outlets |
| Nearby attractions | Baiyun Mountain |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (IATA: CAN)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport first opened in November 1933 and was one of the first civil airports in China. It operated for 72 years before closing in 2004 due to deterioration, limited space, and overcrowding. The new airport, located 28 kilometres north of the city centre, opened on 5 August 2004, offering a 24-hour operation system and impressive size and design.
The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years to meet the growing demand and standards of international first-class airports. In the 1980s, facilities such as terminal buildings, boarding bridges, and maintenance hangars were expanded. By 2002, the passenger throughput had reached over 16 million passengers, and cargo and mail throughput reached nearly 600,000 tons.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport provides a range of dining and shopping options, including restaurants serving various cuisines and fast-food outlets. It is accessible by multiple transportation options, including metro, rail, bus, and taxi. The airport is served by the Airport South Station (for Terminal 1) and the Airport North Station (for Terminal 2) on Line 3 of the Guangzhou Metro. Additionally, there are several hotels, currency exchange counters, and ATMs available near the airport for passenger convenience.
In recent years, the airport has continued to develop, with the construction of a new transport centre (GTC) on the south side of Terminal 2. FedEx also established its Asia-Pacific hub at the airport, employing over 800 people and operating numerous weekly flights to major cities in Asia and worldwide. The addition of a third runway in 2015 further expanded the airport's capacity and business potential.
Check-in Baggage: Airport Availability and Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Guangzhou Airport's history
Guangzhou, China, has two city centres: Yuexiu, the cultural heart of the city, and Zhujiang New Town (Tianhe), the modern central business district. The Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) is located in the capital city of Guangdong Province and is a key hub for southern China.
The airport, which opened in 2004, replaced the old Baiyun Airport to accommodate the growing demand for air travel. Guangzhou Airport ranks among the busiest airports in China in terms of passenger numbers and cargo volume. According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, in 2023, the airport handled over 63 million passengers and 456,104 aircraft movements. The airport features two state-of-the-art terminals. Terminal 1 serves as a multipurpose hub handling both domestic and international flights, while Terminal 2, which opened in 2018, is primarily used by China Southern Airlines and its SkyTeam partners.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport continues to rise in prominence as a major international hub, offering more transit opportunities, especially for long-haul passengers. The airport's central location within the Greater Bay Area makes it a vital connector for Europe, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, facilitating trade and tourism.
The airport recently inaugurated its fourth runway, designated as 19R/01L, on January 23, 2025, with China Southern Airlines flight CZ6731 being the first aircraft to touch down on the new strip. The new runway allows the airport to support simultaneous takeoffs and landings, reducing delays and optimising flight scheduling.
In addition to the new runway, the airport is undergoing a Phase III Expansion project, the largest reconstruction and expansion project in the history of Chinese civil aviation airport construction, with a budget of over CNY 53.77 billion. The project includes the construction of a new terminal building, two new runways, and a comprehensive transportation centre with subway, intercity, and high-speed railway access. The expansion will increase the airport's capacity to 120 million passengers per year, accommodating the increasing demand for air travel in China.
Istanbulkart: Airport Purchase and Usage Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Guangzhou Airport's facilities
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (IATA: CAN, ICAO: ZGGG) is an international airport serving Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. The airport is located 28 kilometres north of the city centre in the Baiyun and Handu District. It is one of the biggest airports in the world, serving as a hub for airlines such as China Southern Airlines, FedEx Express, 9 Air, Hainan Airlines, and Shenzhen Airlines.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport offers a range of facilities and services for passengers. The airport features two terminals, with Terminal 2 being one of the world's largest terminal facilities. Terminal 1 is the oldest and has two concourses (A and B). The airport provides luggage storage services, with service counters located on the first and third floors. Free luggage carts are available in both terminals and parking lots. The airport also offers a Lost and Found service, with a centre located near the No.1 Gate in the Departure Hall on the third floor.
For passengers with young children, there are baby-care rooms at the A and B departure areas on the third floor, providing a private space for nursing and changing diapers. The airport also has smoking rooms in the same location. There are 11 water dispensers located throughout the terminal, offering hot and cold water. A variety of shopping options are available, including duty-free shops with clothing, accessories, toys, jewellery, fragrances, and cosmetics. There is also a convenience store and restaurants serving Western, Chinese, and fast food options.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport offers medical services for accidental injuries, emergency relief, and pre-hospital treatment at the Medical Room near the No.25 Gate on the first floor. Currency exchange services are available at the Exchange Counter in the International Arrival Hall, where major foreign currencies can be exchanged for RMB. The airport also provides special assistance for unaccompanied special passengers, such as seniors, children, pregnant women, and the disabled, who receive priority during check-in, customs declaration, security checks, and boarding.
For passengers seeking a more luxurious experience, the airport offers VIP services such as meet-and-greet assistance, fast-track lanes, access to high-end lounges, chauffeur-driven transportation, personalised shopping assistance, and baggage services. The Private Suite access provides a living room experience with chef-prepared meals, spa services, and seamless transport directly to the aircraft.
Traveling with Candles: Airport Security Rules Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Guangzhou Airport's location
Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton, is the capital of Guangdong Province in southern China. It is located about 120 km from Hong Kong and 145 km from Macau. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, also known as Guangzhou Airport, is the main airport serving the city of Guangzhou. The airport is located 28 kilometres north of the city centre in the outskirts of the Baiyun and Handu District. It is one of the three largest air hubs in the country, serving over 69 million passengers in 2018.
The airport code for Guangzhou Airport is CAN, which is derived from Guangzhou's historical romanization, Canton. The airport is a hub for several major airlines, including China Southern Airlines, FedEx Express, 9 Air, Hainan Airlines, and Shenzhen Airlines. In 2020, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was temporarily the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic, handling 43.8 million passengers.
The original Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport opened in 1933 and was one of the first civil airports in China. However, by the 1980s, the airport had undergone rapid development and expansion, and it was decided that a new location was necessary to build a new airport to meet passenger demands. The new Baiyun Airport, located 23 kilometres north of the former airport, opened on August 5, 2004, replacing the old airport that had been operating for 72 years.
The new airport features two main terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, which is one of the world's largest airport terminal facilities. It also has a four-runway system, making it the fourth airport in China to achieve this feat. Guangzhou Airport offers a range of facilities and transportation options, including metro, buses, and taxis. It is also known for its dining and shopping options, with restaurants serving various types of cuisine.
Exploring Singapore: Making the Most of Your Layover
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Guangzhou Airport's green initiatives
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), located in the capital city of Guangdong Province, is one of China's busiest and most strategically important airports. The airport has taken several initiatives to address its environmental footprint and promote green finance reform and innovation. Here are some of the key green initiatives undertaken by Guangzhou Airport:
Electric Ground Vehicles and Green Taxiing Systems: Guangzhou Airport has deployed electric ground vehicles and green taxiing systems to minimize emissions on the ground. This initiative contributes to reducing the airport's carbon footprint and improving air quality in the region.
Enhanced Waste Management Practices: The airport has implemented enhanced waste management practices, focusing on recycling and proper disposal of hazardous materials. By improving waste management, the airport can reduce its environmental impact and promote sustainable waste handling practices.
Synergistic Evolution of Supply-Demand Composite System: Guangzhou Airport has been the subject of academic research aimed at understanding the synergistic evolution of the supply-and-demand composite system for airport green development. This research helps establish evaluation index systems and optimization models to guide the airport's green initiatives and enhance its sustainability performance.
Green Finance Zone: Guangzhou's Huadu district, which includes Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, has been designated as a green finance pilot zone by the Chinese central government. This zone provides incentives for financial institutions to support environmentally friendly industries and combat pollution. The local government has committed to expanding investment in financial reform and innovation, including policies to boost the development of green sectors.
Low-Carbon and High-Efficiency Operations: CAN has expressed its commitment to enhancing its green operation management system and implementing low-carbon and high-efficiency operation requirements. This includes adopting newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft and investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce emissions and achieve long-term environmental goals.
Passport Recovery: Can Airports Mail It?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
CAN.
The IATA code CAN is derived from Guangzhou's historical romanisation, Canton.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is located approximately 28km from downtown Guangzhou.
On 24 December 1982, CAAC Flight 2311, an Ilyushin Il-18B was destroyed by fire after landing at the airport, killing 25 of the 69 people on board. On 2 October 1990, Xiamen Airlines Flight 8301, a Boeing 737-247, was hijacked en route to Guangzhou from Xiamen.
Guangzhou Airport offers a wide range of dining and shopping options, including restaurants serving Chinese, Western, and international cuisine, as well as fast-food outlets. There are also several hotels, currency exchange counters, and ATMs available near the airport.
![The Angels & Demons / Da Vinci Code / Inferno - Set [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81jDJf6f87L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![The Da Vinci Code - 4K + Blu-ray [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81z-q2bGmjL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
