Data from Qingdao Airport Entry and Exit Frontier Inspection Station show that Qingdao Airport has seen more than 1.34 million entries and exits since the beginning of this year, representing a year-on-year increase of 20.4%. Among them, the number of entries made by foreign passengers surpassed 190,000, surging 43% over the same period last year, and over 130,000 entries were visa-free. The 24-hour or 240-hour visa-free transit policy was granted to over 2,900 passengers. Currently Qingdao Airport offers 23 international and regional passenger routes, and operates about 500 international and regional passenger flights per week. With an extensive network of air routes, Qingdao becomes a top preferred destination for a rising number of foreign travelers to enter China, know about China and tour around China.

By country, foreign passengers entering China via Qingdao Airport primarily come from South Korea and Japan. By purpose, they mostly come for tourism, business and trade cooperation, and visiting relatives. Tourists from South Korea has exceeded 100,000, comprising 81%. Currently, Qingdao Airport operates a daily average of up to 53 flights to Japan and South Korea. Among them, 39 flights are bound to Seoul, Busan, Cheju and other major cities in South Korea, and 14 flights are headed for such cities in Japan as Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. With flights that can match buses in frequency and build an efficient channel for cross-border business trips, tourism and visiting relatives, tourists can make a round trip in one day, and enjoy preferential fares.  (Zhou Jianliang)