Since the start of the winter aviation season, Qingdao airport has seen strong activity in the Southeast Asian market.

Responding to rising demand, the airport has added direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi and increased frequencies on routes to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. It currently operates 92 weekly round-trip flights to Southeast Asia, with a network covering key destinations including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Phnom Penh. This expanding connectivity provides strong aviation support for regional personnel exchanges, economic cooperation, and cultural tourism.

The Qingdao–Singapore route is a particular success. First launched on Jan 11, 2013, it now offers 14 weekly round trips. Since the China-Singapore mutual visa exemption took effect on Feb 9, 2024, the route has seen significant benefits. In 2025, passenger traffic reached 155,000, an 11 percent year-on-year increase, with an average load factor of 83.1 percent.

Duan Huizhen from Qingdao International Airport Group noted that the policy dividend has energized the airport's Southeast Asia strategy. The airport continues to refine its route network and introduce targeted service improvements in flight operations and ground handling. At immigration, measures including additional lanes and green channels during peak periods ensure efficient clearance.

Looking ahead, Qingdao airport aims to further leverage policy advantages to strengthen its Southeast Asia presence, building a seamless “air bridge” for exchanges and cooperation.

Qingdao airport maintains strong activity in the Southeast Asian market. [Photo/Guanhai News]