Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Shortens Cut-off Time for Domestic Flights
The Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport has shortened the cut-off time for domestic flights to 35 minutes or less, effective from January 10, 2025. This move aims to enhance passengers' travel experience and better serve them during the upcoming Spring Festival travel rush.
The cut-off time is the last moment passengers can check in and check their luggage for a particular flight. Previously, the cut-off time for domestic flights was 40 minutes or less. The airport has achieved this optimization through unified operating standards and digital applications.
This reduction in cut-off time aligns with the central government's guideline on boosting consumption. It will save business travelers' time at the airport and encourage more business trips.
Setting flight cut-off time ensures that airports and airlines have sufficient time to complete necessary tasks before flight take-off, ensuring safety and punctuality. This reduction will also save passengers' time and create a competitive edge for Chinese civil aviation.
The continuous improvement in efficiency and procedure optimization has made this possible. The airport has implemented various measures to ensure smooth passenger boarding and timely luggage transportation within the shortened cut-off time.
Specifically, the cut-off time for domestic flights operated by China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, and China United Airlines at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is now 35 minutes. For passengers without checked baggage, it is 30 minutes. The cut-off time for Spring Airlines is 30 minutes, and for other airlines, it is 35 minutes.
At the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, the cut-off time for domestic flights operated by China Eastern Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and China United Airlines is 40 minutes, and 45 minutes for other airlines.
Prior to this change, flights to destinations beyond mainland China experienced a cut-off time reduction at both Shanghai airports since July 1, 2024. The cut-off time for departures from the Shanghai Pudong International Airport was reduced to 60 minutes (except for Ethiopian Airlines at 90 minutes), and to 45 minutes at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.
In 2024, Shanghai's two airports handled a record passenger flow of over 124 million passenger trips, a 29% year-on-year growth. Over 803,000 flights took off or landed at the two airports, a 15% year-on-year increase.
6 Comments
Michelangelo
I am so angry about this! I am going to contact my representative and complain.
Raphael
This is going to give Chinese civil aviation a competitive disadvantage. Other airports will be able to offer longer cut-off times, which will be more attractive to passengers.
Leonardo
I'm sure most passengers will be able to adjust to the new cut-off time.
Donatello
I can't believe they are doing this right before the Spring Festival! This is the busiest travel time of the year, and now it's going to be even more chaotic.
Raphael
This is ridiculous! 35 minutes is just not enough time to get through security and to the gate, especially during peak travel times. This is just going to cause more stress and delays for travelers.
Leonardo
This will give Chinese civil aviation a competitive edge. Passengers will appreciate the shorter cut-off times.