Chengdu Aviation Hub Hits 90 Million Passenger Milestone: What's Next?

December 31, 2025 at 12:00 AM•3 min read

The Chengdu International Aviation Hub surpassed 90 million annual passenger throughput for the first time in 2025, confirming its status as a major global air traffic center.

Key Points

190 million annual passenger throughput milestone reached on December 31, 2025, for the Chengdu International Aviation Hub.
2The hub, comprising CTU and TFU, solidifies Chengdu's rank as China's third-largest city-airport system, behind Shanghai and Beijing.
3The achievement is attributed to the successful dual-airport strategy, which relieved pressure on Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.
4The record signals strong post-pandemic recovery and major opportunities for domestic and international airline expansion.

The Chengdu International Aviation Hub reached a major milestone on December 31, 2025. Its annual passenger throughput surpassed 90 million for the first time. This achievement was marked by the arrival of Air China flight CA4182. The flight landed at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU). This new record confirms Chengdu’s rapid growth as a global air transport center. This development is a key piece of commercial aviation news. commercial aviation news

China's Third Aviation Gateway

Chengdu is the capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province. The city is now firmly established as China's third-largest city-airport system. Only the hubs of Shanghai and Beijing handle more air traffic. The combined passenger volume was 87.3 million in 2024. This volume already placed Chengdu ahead of Guangzhou. Surpassing 90 million passengers shows significant post-pandemic recovery. This growth also highlights a strong demand for air travel in the region. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) tracks this data closely.

The Dual-Airport Strategy

This success is driven by Chengdu's dual-airport system. The hub includes both Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU). Chengdu was the third city in mainland China to adopt this dual-airport model. This strategy was necessary due to high demand. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport had exceeded its designed capacity for years. The newer Tianfu Airport opened in 2021 to relieve this pressure. It handles most of the city's international and cargo flights. Shuangliu Airport now focuses primarily on domestic routes. The full plan for Tianfu International Airport aims for a 90 million passenger capacity alone. The combined hub reaching this figure shows the potential for future expansion. International bodies like IATA track such capacity increases. They see them as crucial for global connectivity.

Industry Impact and Future Outlook

The 90 million passenger milestone signals major opportunities for airlines. Both domestic and international carriers can expand their services. For instance, the Airbus A320 and A330 families are common aircraft types used by Chinese carriers. The demand for new aircraft will likely increase. This growth also strengthens Chengdu's role in the Yangtze River Economic Zone. It positions the city as a major gateway for Western China. The rapid increase in traffic presents operational challenges. Airport capacity management and air traffic control must adapt quickly. Regulators like EASA monitor global safety standards. The sustained growth of the Southwest China air traffic market is now clear. Chengdu is expected to maintain its position as a top-three aviation hub in China.