On the morning of Nov. 29, Shenzhen Airlines flight ZH9103 successfully took off from the third runway, and China Southern Airlines flight CZ3590 smoothly landed on the same runway, becoming the first flight to take off and the first to land following the operational launch of the third runway at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport. Shenzhen has now entered the "three-runway era," marked by multiple leaps in hub capacity, operational support capabilities, efficiency, and development space.
This milestone represents another key strategic move in accelerating the development of a world-class airport cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), following the large-scale operation of Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport with its "five runways and three terminals."
Currently, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is rapidly establishing an infrastructure layout comprising three passenger terminal areas, three cargo zones, three runways, and one satellite concourse. In the future, it will be able to handle an annual passenger throughput of 80 million and an annual cargo and mail throughput of 4.5 million tons. This will foster a closer collaborative development model with Hong Kong and Guangzhou airports, injecting new momentum into the construction of the GBA airport cluster and regional high-quality development.
The third runway at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport is 3,600 meters long and 45 meters wide, with an airfield classification of 4F—the highest level—enabling it to accommodate the takeoff and landing requirements of various large aircraft. Captain Li Dayu of Shenzhen Airlines, who piloted the inaugural takeoff, stated that the high-standard construction of the third runway gives the crew full confidence in its safety. During takeoff and landing, the airfield ground lighting system acts like a "third eye," providing precise guidance. When combined with the Category III Instrument Landing System, it ensures flight safety even in complex weather conditions.
It is reported that the newly operational third runway will coordinate with the airport's existing two runways, enabling a total of eight operating modes in both north and south directions during different timeframes. This will effectively distribute takeoff and landing flights, alleviate operational pressure, and create broader opportunities for improving airport operational efficiency, flight punctuality, and the passenger travel experience.
One of the senior executives overseeing the construction of the third runway explained that it took only 98 days for Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport to achieve full completion of the main runway, accumulating valuable experience in the digital and intelligent construction of civil aviation projects. Throughout the construction process, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport focused on "smart construction" and "innovative application," widely implementing systems such as intelligent paving and adopting advanced techniques like fully prefabricated cable wells.
In terms of technical performance, the third runway strictly aligns with advanced international standards. The runway surface has undergone special treatment, significantly enhancing its friction coefficient and improving the safety of takeoffs and landings for various large aircraft under diverse weather conditions. The runway is equipped with an advanced, high-precision navigation system that provides comprehensive and accurate guidance for flights in complex weather. It also features secure and reliable lighting for the airfield, which offers clear visual references of the runway outline, approach path, and landing area during daytime low visibility or nighttime under complex meteorological conditions, thereby strengthening the frontline of flight safety.
Before the opening of the third runway, the maximum annual flight handling capacity at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport reached 428,000 movements, with a peak daily flight handling volume exceeding 1,300 movements. In recent years, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport's core aviation business has developed rapidly. In 2025, the airport's annual passenger throughput is projected to exceed 65 million, and its annual cargo and mail throughput is expected to surpass the 2 million ton milestone for the first time. Against the backdrop of continuously rising operational volumes, the activation of the third runway will help Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport overcome capacity bottlenecks.
The robust and positive momentum of the GBA economy serves as the fundamental driver for the airport cluster's upgrade. The region's large population, rapidly growing economic output, dense industrial clusters, and globally leading foreign trade scale have led to continuously increasing demand for air passenger and cargo transport, along with a strong desire for higher-level hub development.
In this situation, opening Guangzhou's T3 terminal, fully using Hong Kong's third runway, starting up Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport's third runway, and getting approval for Guangzhou's new airport project are not just needed to meet current demands but also important steps that show strong belief in future growth.
(Source: Ta Kung Pao; Journalist: Guo Ruoxi; English Editor: Darius)
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