The Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport’s two new terminals, T1 and T2, will open in 2027, officials with the city’s transport bureau said during a call-in radio program recently.

Once completed, T1, situated to the east of the first runway, will span approximately 258,000 square meters and is designed to accommodate 12 million domestic and 3 million international passengers annually.

Adjacent to the in-use T3 terminal and the satellite hall, T2 will cover an area of about 450,000 square meters and have 75 parking aprons. This terminal will primarily cater to international flights, with an anticipated annual passenger throughput of 31 million.

In addition, the Eastern Zone International Express No. 1 Cargo Station at the airport is set to be completed, and construction of the Zhangkengjing Helicopter Airport in Longhua District is being expedited, according to the bureau.

The satellite hall of Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport.

The latest figures indicate that the Shenzhen airport is among the world’s busiest airports.

It recorded a total of 34.7 million passenger trips from January to July of this year, a 20% year-on-year increase. International passenger throughput saw a year-on-year surge of about 160%, placing the airport fourth in the nation. The airport now links to over 40 cities worldwide.

In terms of cargo and mail, the throughput for the same period reached 1.02 million tons, a year-on-year increase of over 17%. The international cargo volume experienced a year-on-year increase of more than 23%, securing third position in the country.

Initially known as the Shenzhen Huangtian International Airport, the airport commenced operations in October 1991. It was renamed as the Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport on Sept. 18, 2001.

The original T1 and T2 terminals were closed Nov. 28, 2013, the same day T3 officially opened.

When construction of the third runway is completed next year, the airport’s capacity will expand further.

By 2030, the airport is projected to handle 80 million passengers and 2.6 million tons of cargo annually.