On November 29, the third runway of Shenzhen Airport officially commenced operations. Shenzhen Airlines flight ZH9103 took off from the new runway, while China Southern Airlines flight CZ3590 made a smooth landing on it, becoming the first departure and arrival flights following the runway's opening.
The operation of the third runway marks Shenzhen Airport's entry into the "three-runway era," enhancing its hub capacity, operational support capabilities, and efficiency, and injecting new vitality into the development of a world-class airport cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The three major airports—in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong—shoulder distinct divisions of labor, each leveraging its strengths to collectively contribute to the air traffic of the GBA.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, with five runways, has the largest capacity and the most comprehensive network, responsible for extensive domestic and international trunk route operations.
Hong Kong International Airport relies on its internationalization and high-end service advantages, focusing on premium passenger and cargo transport and international hub functions.
Shenzhen Airport, with three runways and its industrial hinterland, strengthens its role as a core hub for cross-border e-commerce cargo and a center for routes to emerging international markets. Its international passenger handling capacity has doubled to 10 million per year, and its designed cargo and mail capacity has also increased.
The airports within the GBA airport cluster are not zero-sum but additive—each airport excels in its specific role, thereby elevating the overall aviation capacity of the entire region.
Reporter | Guo Chuhua
Photo | Nanfang Plus
Editor | Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
