Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) stands as one of China’s premier aviation gateways, serving as the main international airport for Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province in southern China. Named after the nearby Baiyun Mountain, which means “White Cloud” in Chinese, this modern aviation complex has evolved into a crucial transportation nexus connecting China to destinations worldwide, while supporting the economic development of the Pearl River Delta region.
Southern Gateway: The History of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
The history of aviation in Guangzhou dates back to 1932, when construction of the original Baiyun Airport began. The airport opened in November 1933 as one of the first civil airports in China. During the early years, the facility played a significant role in the development of commercial aviation in the region. The original airport continued to operate and expand over the decades, including a comprehensive renovation between 1964 and 1967.
However, as Guangzhou experienced rapid urban growth in the latter part of the 20th century, the original Baiyun Airport faced increasing limitations. The facility found itself surrounded by high-rise buildings and mountains, making further expansion impossible despite growing passenger demand. This predicament necessitated the development of an entirely new airport to serve the flourishing metropolis.
On August 5, 2004, the new Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport opened its doors, located 28 kilometers north of downtown Guangzhou. Built at a cost of 19.8 billion yuan (approximately $2.4 billion at the time), the new facility was nearly five times larger than its predecessor. Upon its inauguration, the original Baiyun Airport closed permanently, with all operations transferring to the new facility.
The new airport was designed to overcome the limitations of its predecessor, with no curfews or operational restrictions. This allowed airlines, particularly China Southern Airlines, to maximize the utilization of their fleets with overnight and long-haul international flights. The airport initially featured Terminal 1, which served as the primary passenger facility for both domestic and international travel.
A significant expansion came on April 26, 2018, with the opening of Terminal 2, a massive structure measuring over 808,700 square meters, making it one of the world’s largest airport terminal facilities. This expansion substantially increased the airport’s passenger handling capacity and provided dedicated facilities for China Southern Airlines and its partner carriers.
In July 2005, FedEx Express signed a contract to relocate its Asia-Pacific hub from Subic Bay International Airport in the Philippines to Baiyun Airport, further enhancing the airport’s role as a cargo hub.
By the Numbers: CAN Stats
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport’s significance in global aviation is reflected in its impressive statistics:
- Handled 63.1 million passengers in 2023, making it the world’s 12th busiest airport by passenger traffic and the busiest in China
- Temporarily held the title of the world’s busiest airport in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, handling 43.8 million passengers while other global hubs saw dramatic declines
- Served more than 69 million passengers in 2018, ranking as the 13th busiest airport globally at that time
- Reported handling 6.0 million passengers in May 2024, representing an 18.3% increase year-over-year
- Ranks as China’s second-busiest airport for cargo traffic and the world’s 11th busiest in this category
- Features four runways measuring 3,800 meters, 3,800 meters, 3,600 meters, and 3,400 meters in length
- Encompasses terminals with a combined area of over 1.3 million square meters
- Terminal 2 alone covers more than 808,700 square meters
- Capable of handling up to 1,546 daily flight movements
- Serves 150 U.S. destinations and more than 75 international destinations in 50 countries
- Offers direct flights to major global destinations including Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Manila, Dubai, and Tokyo
Terminal Facilities: CAN’s Passenger Experience
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport currently operates with two modern passenger terminals, with a third terminal under development:
- Terminal 1: Opened in 2004 with the new airport, Terminal 1 covers approximately 500,000 square meters and consists of a Main Terminal along with Areas A and B. The terminal is organized over three primary levels:
- Third Floor (3F): Departures level with check-in facilities, security checkpoints, customs inspection, border control, VIP lounges, duty-free shops, and retail areas
- Second Floor (2F): Arrivals and transit facilities with dedicated transit counters
- First Floor (1F): Baggage claim area and ground transportation access
- Basement (B1): Metro station and parking facilities
- Terminal 2: Opened on April 26, 2018, this massive facility spans over 808,700 square meters, making it one of the world’s largest airport terminal structures. Terminal 2 serves as the main hub for China Southern Airlines while also accommodating international carriers such as China Airlines, Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, and many others. Most SkyTeam alliance members and some Star Alliance carriers operate from this terminal. Terminal 2 is organized across four floors:
- First Floor (1F): Baggage claim area with 21 baggage carousels (31-51), divided between domestic and international arrivals
- Second Floor (2F): Mixed-flow domestic departures and arrivals, international arrivals, and transfer areas
- Third Floor (3F): Domestic and international check-in halls
- Fourth Floor (4F): Additional facilities including premium lounges
A free shuttle bus service operates between the two terminals, running every 5-15 minutes depending on the time of day. Passengers can also travel between Terminal 1’s Airport South Station and Terminal 2’s Airport North Station for free using Metro Line 3, with trains running approximately every 5 minutes and a journey time of about 2 minutes between terminals.
Both terminals offer comprehensive passenger amenities including restaurants, shops, banking services, baggage storage, medical facilities, free Wi-Fi, prayer rooms, and rest areas. Terminal 2 also features a large Ground Transportation Center (GTC) providing seamless connections to various ground transportation options.
Airlines and Destinations: CAN’s Global Reach
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport serves as a crucial hub for several major airlines and offers an extensive network of domestic and international connections:
- Major Hub Operations: Guangzhou serves as the main hub for China Southern Airlines, China’s largest carrier. The airport is also a hub for 9 Air, FedEx Express, and Hainan Airlines, and a focus city for Shenzhen Airlines and China Eastern Airlines.
- Domestic Network: The airport offers comprehensive service throughout China, connecting Guangzhou with all major Chinese cities and numerous regional destinations.
- International Service: CAN provides flights to international destinations across Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, and Oceania. The airport has been expanding its global reach with new international routes and airlines regularly adding service to Guangzhou.
- Airline Diversity: In addition to Chinese carriers, the airport hosts numerous international airlines including Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Kenya Airways, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Asiana Airlines, Air Tanzania, and many others.
The airport’s strategic location in southern China makes it an ideal gateway for connections between Southeast Asia and the rest of the world, and its role as China Southern’s primary hub ensures extensive connectivity both domestically and internationally.
Ground Transportation: Accessing CAN
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport offers comprehensive transportation options connecting the airport to Guangzhou city and the broader Pearl River Delta region:
- Metro: Guangzhou Metro Line 3 provides direct service to both terminals, with Airport South Station serving Terminal 1 and Airport North Station serving Terminal 2. The metro provides convenient connections to downtown Guangzhou and the broader metropolitan area, with trains operating from approximately 6:00 AM to midnight.
- Bus Services: The airport operates numerous bus routes connecting to various parts of Guangzhou city. These include Airport Express lines and Airport Non-stop lines that serve major hotels, plazas, and transportation centers.
- Intercity Buses: Intercity coach services operate between the airport and major cities throughout the Pearl River Delta region, including Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Dongguan, Jiangmen, Foshan, Shunde, Zhaoqing, Qingyuan, and Huizhou.
- Taxis: Taxi services are readily available outside the arrival halls of both terminals, providing direct transportation to destinations throughout Guangzhou and beyond.
- Future Rail Connections: The Guangzhou–Foshan circular intercity railway, currently under construction, will serve the airport with three stations: Baiyun Airport North (Terminal 2), Baiyun Airport South (Terminal 1), and Baiyun Airport East (future Terminal 3).
- Transportation Center: A new Ground Transportation Center (GTC) is being constructed on the south side of Terminal 2, which will integrate metro, rail, bus, and taxi services, providing passengers with comprehensive transportation options.
- Parking Facilities: The airport provides extensive parking options, with Terminal 1 offering both hourly and long-term parking, while Terminal 2 features three newly built parking lots: P6 (east), P7 (west), and P8 (parking garages A and B), providing over 5,100 parking spaces.
Special Features: CAN’s Unique Aspects
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport offers several distinctive features that enhance its appeal as a major aviation hub:
- 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: The airport is eligible for China’s 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit policy, allowing citizens from 54 countries who are traveling to a third destination to stay in Guangdong Province for up to 10 days without a visa.
- Art and Cultural Elements: The airport incorporates elements of local culture and design throughout its facilities, reflecting the rich heritage of Guangzhou and the Pearl River Delta region.
- Advanced Technology: The terminal buildings feature cutting-edge technology, including automated check-in kiosks, facial recognition systems, and modern baggage handling facilities to enhance passenger processing efficiency.
- Environmental Initiatives: The airport has implemented various environmentally friendly features as part of China’s broader push toward more sustainable aviation operations.
- VIP Services: For premium travelers, the airport offers VIP terminal facilities, dedicated business lounges, meeting rooms, and concierge assistance.
Looking Ahead: CAN’s Future
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport continues to evolve with ambitious expansion plans to meet growing demand:
- Third Phase Expansion: The airport has received approval from the National Development and Reform Commission of China for a significant third phase expansion that will add Terminal 3, a satellite concourse, and additional runways.
- Increased Capacity: Upon completion of the expansion, projected for 2025, the airport will have the capability to handle 120 million passengers, 3.8 million tons of freight, and 775,000 aircraft movements annually.
- New Runways: The master plan calls for expanding to five runways in the near term, with the potential for up to ten runways in the long-term development vision.
- Terminal 3: The future Terminal 3 will serve as an international terminal, further enhancing the airport’s global connectivity.
- Enhanced Rail Connectivity: The planned Guangzhou–Foshan circular intercity railway will include a dedicated station for the future Terminal 3, identified as Baiyun Airport East railway station.
- Ground Transportation Center: The completion of the comprehensive Ground Transportation Center will transform accessibility to and from the airport, integrating various transportation modes.
As Guangzhou and the Pearl River Delta region continue their economic rise, Baiyun International Airport is positioned to remain at the forefront of aviation in southern China, providing essential connectivity for this dynamic economic powerhouse while serving as a crucial gateway between China and the world.
Keyword: TopAirports