Located on the north side of Xiamen Island in Fujian Province, China, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN) serves as a critical transportation hub for the coastal city of Xiamen and the surrounding region. As one of the busiest airports in mainland China, XMN connects this historically significant port city to destinations throughout Asia and beyond.
XMN History
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport opened on October 22, 1983, established to meet the growing aviation needs of Xiamen as the city developed into one of China’s earliest Special Economic Zones. The airport’s name “Gaoqi” comes from the area where it’s located in the Huli District.
The airport underwent its first major expansion in 1992, followed by the opening of Terminal 3 in 1996, which significantly increased capacity and improved passenger facilities. As air travel demand continued to grow, construction of Terminal 4 began in October 2011 and was completed in December 2014, located about 4 kilometers east of Terminal 3.
A significant milestone was reached in 2011 when KLM began operating the first intercontinental route from Xiamen to Amsterdam. The airport has since expanded its long-haul traffic, with XiamenAir launching routes to destinations including Vancouver, Los Angeles, Paris, Sydney, Melbourne, and Doha following the acquisition of Boeing 787 aircraft.
XMN Quick Facts & Statistics
- IATA Code: XMN
- ICAO Code: ZSAM
- Location: Huli District, north side of Xiamen Island, Fujian Province
- Distance from city center: 12 kilometers northeast of downtown Xiamen
- Elevation: 16 meters (52 feet) above sea level
- Size: 237,800 square meters
- Classification: 4E-class airport
- Runways: One runway (3,400 meters long)
- Passenger Volume: Approximately 27.9 million passengers (2024)
- Destinations: Over 105 domestic and international destinations
- Airlines: 25 domestic and 15 international carriers
- Status: 17th busiest airport in China by passenger traffic; 14th busiest for cargo
- Terminals: Two operational terminals (Terminal 3 and Terminal 4)
Terminals and Facilities
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport operates with two main terminals that offer a range of services designed to enhance the passenger experience.
Terminal 3
Terminal 3, opened in 1996, serves primarily international flights and some domestic routes. Key features include:
- Primary terminal for international, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan flights
- Also handles domestic flights by Xiamen Airlines and China Southern Airlines
- Multiple check-in counters with dedicated areas for international and domestic passengers
- Immigration and customs facilities for international travelers
- Duty-free shops, retail outlets, and dining options
- Currency exchange services and banking facilities
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal
Terminal 4
Terminal 4, opened in December 2014, primarily serves domestic flights. Notable features include:
- Contemporary design with spacious layout
- State-of-the-art check-in facilities with self-service options
- Shops selling local specialty products and general merchandise
- Food court featuring both international chains and local cuisine
- Business center and VIP lounges
- Free Wi-Fi access throughout
The distance between Terminal 3 and Terminal 4 is approximately 4 kilometers, connected by free shuttle buses operating every 10-20 minutes and taxi services, with a journey time of about 5-15 minutes.
Airlines and Destinations
Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport serves as a vital transportation hub, connecting Xiamen with destinations across China and internationally.
Major Airlines
XMN serves as a hub or focus city for several carriers:
- Xiamen Airlines (MF): The airport’s main carrier, using XMN as its primary hub
- China Southern Airlines (CZ): Operates numerous domestic and international routes
- Shandong Airlines (SC): Significant presence with multiple domestic routes
- China Eastern Airlines (MU): Operates both domestic and international services
XMN Terminals
- Terminal 3: International flights and some domestic operations by Xiamen Airlines and China Southern
- Terminal 4: Primarily domestic carriers, including China Eastern Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines
Ground Transportation
The airport offers multiple transportation options to connect passengers to the city and beyond.
Bus
- BRT Line L19: Rapid transit bus connecting both terminals to the city center
- Travel time: 20-30 minutes
- Fare: 0.5 yuan
- Operating hours: 6:30 AM to 10:10 PM
- City Buses: Routes 27, 37, 41, 81, 84, and 91 connect to various parts of the city
- Travel time: 40-50 minutes depending on destination
- Fare: Approximately 1 yuan
- Operating hours: Generally 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Airport Shuttle Buses: Dedicated services to downtown locations and major hotels
- Travel time: 30 minutes to city center
- Fare: 10-15 yuan
Taxi
Taxis are available 24 hours outside both terminals:
- Travel time: 20-30 minutes to downtown Xiamen
- Fare: 30-50 yuan to the city center
- Services also available for transportation to neighboring cities
Future Development: Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport
Following the opening of Terminal 4 in 2014, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport had limited room for expansion due to its location in a densely populated area. As a result, a new airport is currently under construction to meet the region’s growing aviation demands.
The New Airport Project
Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport is being built on Dadeng Island in Xiang’an District, about 25 kilometers northeast of downtown Xiamen. Key features include:
- Classification as a 4F-class airport (highest international standard)
- Four planned runways, with initial phase featuring two 3,800-meter runways
- A 550,000 square meter terminal with modern design inspired by local architecture
- Initial capacity to handle 45 million passengers annually
- Projected capacity of 62 million passengers by 2030, expanding to 85 million by 2040
- Cargo handling capacity of 1 million tons by 2030, increasing to 2 million tons by 2040
- Subway links to downtown Xiamen via planned metro lines
The new airport’s design incorporates elements of the local Minnan culture and coastal elements, reflecting the region’s heritage while providing state-of-the-art amenities.
Construction Timeline
The Xiang’an airport project has evolved through several phases:
- Initial approval: 2012
- Land reclamation work: 2016-2019
- Construction commencement: 2022-2023
- Expected completion: Late 2026 (current projection)
Originally projected to open by 2020, the project has faced delays but is now advancing steadily. When completed, the new airport will replace Gaoqi Airport as Xiamen’s main aviation hub, with the existing airport potentially being repurposed for commercial development.
Impact on Regional Development
The new airport is expected to:
- Serve as a gateway for cross-strait exchange with Taiwan (Kinmen Island is only 15 km away)
- Support China’s Belt and Road Initiative
- Facilitate integration of the regional economy
- Strengthen Xiamen’s position as an international aviation hub
Major aviation companies are already developing facilities at the new airport, including HAECO Xiamen (Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company), which is building a massive aircraft maintenance complex scheduled for completion in 2025-2026.
The XMN Experience
Despite its limitations as an aging facility awaiting replacement, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport continues to provide a generally positive experience for travelers. The terminals offer adequate shopping options, including duty-free goods and local specialties. Food outlets provide both Chinese and international cuisine, though with less variety than larger Chinese airports.
For international travelers, Xiamen offers a visa-free transit policy allowing eligible citizens from 54 countries to stay in Xiamen for up to 10 days (240 hours) without a visa when transiting to a third country.
While the airport has been rated 3 stars by Skytrax, it provides the essential services needed by most travelers. Signs are in both Chinese and English, making navigation relatively straightforward for foreign visitors.
As the city anticipates the opening of the new Xiang’an Airport in coming years, Gaoqi Airport continues to efficiently serve its purpose as a gateway to one of China’s most livable and scenic coastal cities, connecting Xiamen to the world with reliability and increasingly diverse flight options.
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