Xinjiang Airport Group of China Accelerates Growth with New Routes and Upgraded Infrastructure at Routes World 2025

Friday, October 10, 2025

At Routes World 2025, He Qinghe, the Manager of Xinjiang Airport Group, shared key insights into the region’s expanding airport infrastructure, growing air connectivity, and future plans for attracting more international travelers. Xinjiang, located in the northwest of China, has long been a vital gateway to Central Asia and parts of Europe. As the group prepares to expand its operations, its aim is to increase passenger volumes and enhance connectivity to both regional and international destinations.

With 28 airports currently under its management, Xinjiang Airport Group is poised to add another by the end of this year. One of the region’s largest hubs, Urumqi Diwopu International Airport (URC), plays a key role in serving Central Asia, parts of Europe, and Southeast Asia. He Qinghe’s leadership in overseeing these developments is helping to strengthen Xinjiang’s position as a major transport hub in China.

Xinjiang Airport Group: Expanding Its Infrastructure and Facilities

Xinjiang Airport Group is undergoing significant upgrades to its airport infrastructure to meet the growing demands of international and domestic travelers. The group’s flagship airport, URC, has recently undergone a major transformation. Previously home to three terminals, URC now boasts a new, consolidated terminal that spans 500,000 square meters. This expansion allows the airport to handle higher passenger volumes and improves operational efficiency.

In addition to terminal upgrades, other key facilities have also seen enhancements. The new terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to provide smoother check-in experiences, faster security checks, and an overall more comfortable passenger experience. The airport has also introduced advanced baggage sorting systems, unmanned tractors, and self-service check-in counters. These technological innovations are aimed at reducing wait times and improving operational efficiency, which is crucial as the region anticipates a surge in passenger numbers.

Improving the Passenger Experience with Technology and Design

As part of its commitment to enhancing the passenger experience, Xinjiang Airport Group has integrated several modern technological features at URC. The smart baggage sorting robots and unmanned tractors are just a few examples of how the airport is leveraging automation to streamline airport operations and improve service quality.

In addition to these advancements, the new terminal now includes more self-service check-in counters, a feature that was previously available but has now been expanded. These counters provide passengers with more autonomy and quicker processing times, a major improvement for those traveling during peak periods.

Moreover, URC has embraced multilingual signage, including English and Russian, to cater to the diverse passenger base that travels through Xinjiang. With routes connecting to countries in Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe, these multilingual features ensure a seamless experience for international travelers.

Expanding Routes and Partnerships: Reaching Global Markets

Xinjiang Airport Group is also focused on expanding its route network. The recent launch of a new flight route from URC to Dubai reflects the growing demand for travel between Xinjiang and the Middle East. Dubai, a major hub for international flights, has seen increasing traffic from East Asia, and this new route is expected to attract both tourists and business travelers. He Qinghe explained that Middle Eastern countries are becoming increasingly popular among East Asians, and this new connectivity is an essential part of their expansion strategy.

Currently, the airport offers popular routes to countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and several Central Asian countries. The addition of a direct flight to Dubai aligns with Xinjiang’s broader goals of enhancing air connectivity with Europe and other key regions.

One of the group’s future goals is to increase the frequency of flights between Xinjiang and Europe, a market that remains a significant part of their expansion strategy. Xinjiang Airport Group is exploring partnerships with European airlines, as it currently operates only two European routes. The aim is to offer more direct connections from URC to cities across Europe to cater to the growing demand for travel to and from the region.

Preparing for Travel Surges: Meeting Evolving Traveler Expectations

With its new terminal now in operation and the increasing number of travelers, Xinjiang Airport Group is anticipating a rise in passenger traffic. Last year, URC handled over 27 million passengers, and the airport is on track to reach 30 million passengers by next year. He Qinghe highlighted that the completion of the new terminal will significantly boost the airport’s capacity, positioning it for future growth.

To prepare for these anticipated surges, the airport is enhancing its operational efficiency through smarter technologies, more staff training, and greater investment in passenger-facing services. The group’s ongoing focus is on ensuring that travelers enjoy a seamless experience from check-in to boarding, ensuring Xinjiang becomes a more attractive destination for both tourists and business travelers.

Looking Ahead: Xinjiang’s Role in the Global Aviation Market

Xinjiang Airport Group’s long-term strategy includes building stronger partnerships with international airlines and expanding its air network to new regions. The group is particularly focused on connecting with European markets. As He Qinghe mentioned, they hope to establish additional routes to Europe, including to popular destinations like Germany, France, and the UK.

The future also looks promising with an emphasis on cargo flights. Although passenger services to Europe are limited, cargo flights from URC to Europe have been successful and are expected to increase in the future. This highlights Xinjiang’s potential as an important logistics hub between China, Central Asia, and Europe.

The strategic location of Xinjiang, with its proximity to Central Asia and Europe, provides the region with a unique advantage in becoming a major aviation and logistics hub. By offering enhanced connectivity, modern infrastructure, and improved services, Xinjiang is well on its way to becoming a pivotal player in the global aviation industry.

Conclusion: A Bright Future for Xinjiang’s Aviation Sector

Under the leadership of He Qinghe, Xinjiang Airport Group is embracing the future of air travel and striving to make Xinjiang a global aviation hub. With its upgraded infrastructure, modern technologies, and strategic partnerships, the group is setting the stage for greater connectivity between China, Central Asia, Europe, and beyond.

As URC and other airports in the group continue to grow, the future of Xinjiang’s aviation sector looks bright, with plans to expand passenger services, build new routes, and cater to the growing demand for travel to and from the region.

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