# Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport

> international airport in Shenzhen, China

**Wikidata**: [Q842297](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q842297)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenzhen_Bao'an_International_Airport)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/shenzhen-bao-an-international-airport

## Summary
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (IATA: SZX, ICAO: ZGSZ) is a major international airport serving Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. Located in Bao'an District, it is a critical aviation hub for the Pearl River Delta region, offering domestic and international flights. The airport is a focus city for Shenzhen Airlines and a key logistics center for cargo operations.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Bao'an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (coordinates: 22.639444444444°N, 113.81083333333°E).
- **IATA/ICAO Codes**: SZX/ZGSZ.
- **Inception**: 1991 (opened on January 1, 1991).
- **Terminals**: Three terminals (T1, T2, T3), with T3 being the main terminal opened in 2013.
- **Runways**: Two runways (15/33, 16/34).
- **Passenger Capacity**: 65 million passengers annually (as of 2023).
- **Airlines**: Hub for Shenzhen Airlines, SF Airlines, and a former hub for Jade Cargo International (2004–2011).
- **Ownership**: Operated by Shenzhen Airport Group (listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange).
- **Statistics**: Served 49.35 million passengers in 2022, with 393,000 aircraft movements.
- **Cargo Traffic**: Handled 1.14 million metric tons of cargo in 2022.
- **Connected Entities**: Linked to Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Bao'an District, and airlines including Shenzhen Airlines and SF Airlines.

## FAQs
**Where is Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport located?**  
The airport is situated in Bao'an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, approximately 23 kilometers northwest of the city center.

**What airlines operate at the airport?**  
It serves as a hub for Shenzhen Airlines and SF Airlines, and previously hosted Jade Cargo International. Other domestic and international carriers, such as China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines, also operate flights.

**When was the airport established?**  
The airport opened on January 1, 1991, replacing the older Shenzhen Huangtian Airport.

**What are the airport's key facilities?**  
It features three terminals (T1, T2, T3) and two runways. Terminal 3, inaugurated in 2013, is designed to resemble a hovering cloud and spans 500,000 square meters.

**How significant is the airport for cargo operations?**  
It is a major logistics hub, handling over 1 million metric tons of cargo annually, with SF Airlines contributing significantly to its freight traffic.

## Why It Matters
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is pivotal to the economic and logistical infrastructure of Shenzhen and the broader Pearl River Delta. As one of China's busiest airports, it supports the city's status as a global technology and manufacturing center, facilitating domestic and international travel, trade, and tourism. Its modernization, exemplified by the award-winning Terminal 3, reflects Shenzhen's rapid urban development and positions the airport as a model for aviation infrastructure in China.

## Notable For
- **Modern Architecture**: Terminal 3 won the 2014 World Architecture Festival Award for its futuristic design.
- **Rapid Growth**: Passenger traffic surged from 7.7 million in 2004 to over 49 million in 2022, driven by Shenzhen's economic expansion.
- **Cargo Hub**: A critical node for SF Express, one of China's largest logistics companies, via its subsidiary SF Airlines.
- **Regional Connectivity**: Serves as a gateway to Hong Kong and Guangzhou, enhancing regional integration.
- **Technological Innovation**: Implements advanced security systems, including facial recognition technology for passenger screening.

## Body

### History and Development
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport commenced operations on January 1, 1991, replacing the smaller Huangtian Airport. The construction of Terminal 3 began in 2009 and was completed in 2013 at a cost of ¥12.28 billion. Designed by Studio Fuksas, the terminal's undulating roofline evokes the movement of clouds, earning it international architectural acclaim. The airport has undergone multiple expansions to accommodate Shenzhen's growth, including runway upgrades and the addition of a second parallel runway in 2020.

### Infrastructure and Operations
The airport spans 4.07 square kilometers, with a designed annual capacity of 65 million passengers. Its two runways (3,800 meters and 3,200 meters long) support large aircraft, including the Airbus A380. Terminal 3, the primary facility, features 130 boarding gates, automated check-in systems, and a rooftop garden. The airport is connected to Shenzhen's metro system (Line 11) and intercity rail networks, providing direct access to Hong Kong and Guangzhou.

### Airlines and Destinations
Shenzhen Airlines, a Star Alliance member, operates a major hub at the airport, offering flights to over 80 domestic and international destinations. SF Airlines, a cargo carrier, utilizes the airport for express freight services, capitalizing on Shenzhen's role as a logistics hub. The airport also hosts flights by China Eastern, China Southern, and international carriers such as All Nippon Airways and Singapore Airlines.

### Economic Impact
As a state-owned enterprise listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (stock code: 000001), the airport contributes significantly to the local economy. In 2022, it generated ¥14.6 billion in revenue, with passenger and cargo volumes driving regional trade and tourism. The airport's proximity to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and its high-tech industries supports business travel and export logistics.

### Related Entities and Partnerships
- **Shenzhen Stock Exchange**: The airport's operator, Shenzhen Airport Group, is listed on the exchange (code: 000001).
- **Bao'an District**: The airport's location in Bao'an District underscores its role in the district's industrial and commercial development.
- **Jade Cargo International**: The defunct airline operated freight services from the airport until its closure in 2011.
- **SF Airlines**: The cargo airline's headquarters and primary operations are based at the airport, reinforcing its logistics focus.

### Awards and Recognition
Terminal 3 received the 2014 World Architecture Festival Award for Best Transport Building, highlighting its innovative design. The airport has also been recognized for operational efficiency, including the 2020 Skytrax World Airport Award for Best Regional Airport in China.

## References

1. World Airport Traffic Report. 2014
2. [Source](https://store.aci.aero/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2014_Traffic_Report_sample.xlsx)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. GeoNames
6. [Source](http://www.panynj.gov/airports/pdf-traffic/ATR2017.pdf)
7. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20171007221552/http://www.caac.gov.cn/XXGK/XXGK/TJSJ/201511/P020151103351954630437.xls)
8. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20131114005004/http://www.caac.gov.cn/I1/K3/200703/P020070321522645643301.xls)
9. [Source](http://www.carnoc.com/txtm/upload/2001airport.zip)
10. [Source](http://www.carnoc.com/txtm/article/1068.html)
11. [Source](http://www.caac.gov.cn/XXGK/XXGK/TJSJ/202104/P020210409601938094774.xls)
12. [Source](http://www.caac.gov.cn/XXGK/XXGK/TJSJ/202203/P020220322482530507794.pdf)
13. [Source](http://www.caac.gov.cn/XXGK/XXGK/TJSJ/202303/P020230317397015127619.xlsx)