Guiyang's cool summer lures tourists, boosts air travel

Joining the summer exodus: Hordes of passengers check in at an airport. [Photo/ddcpc website]

Having just flown in from East China's Shanghai on China Southern Airlines flight CZ3658, excited holidaymaker Li and her family couldn't help but feel instant relief to be at their destination.

The Li family were gushing in their praise about the fresh air and cool breeze of Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province, not an uncommon reaction.

It's a sentiment shared by many escaping the summer heat in Guizhou from places like Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hunan and Hubei, to name a few.

On July 1-15, China Southern Airlines operated 1,519 flights in and out of Guiyang, averaging 101 flights per day – a 2.36-percent increase on the same period in 2023.

In all, the airline transported 215,000 passengers, a 4.68-percent rise and 98.03 metric tons of luggage, a 7.7-percent increase on last year.

To accommodate the surge in summer travel, China Southern Airlines is adding 598 flights between Guiyang and cities like Urumqi, Nanjing, Ningbo and Zhengzhou from July to August. It will also introduce new routes between Guiyang and Shanghai Hongqiao, and convert the Guiyang-Haikou overnight flight to a same-day return.

With increased demand for coastal city flights from Guiyang, flight frequencies have risen. Despite summer storms causing flight delays and cancellations, China Southern Airlines in Guizhou has implemented efficient contingency plans to maintain high service standards.

Special care is provided for unaccompanied minors, the elderly and pregnant travelers, maintaining a high on-time departure rate. Pilots and crew are also working extended hours, ensuring smooth operations.

China Southern Airlines also serves premium-quality teas that showcase Guizhou's culture – ensuring a pleasant in-flight experience and allowing passengers to enjoy Guizhou's hospitality and cool summer weather.