China Eastern Airlines flight MU6308, operated by China’s domestically developed C919 jet, departed Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport at 2:59 p.m. for Beijing Daxing, officially marking the launch of Terminal 3.
The opening signals a major step for the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area’s transport network and brings the airport into a new era with 5 runways and 3 terminals in total.
A brief ceremony inside the terminal featured the Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra and a lion dance, while passengers on the inaugural C919 flight received commemorative gifts.
Designed around Guangzhou’s nickname “Flower City,” T3 combines smart construction and local culture. It is China’s first terminal fully built using BIM digital technology and designed to operate with paper-free archives.
Inside, 199 check-in counters, 60 self-service kiosks, and an advanced RFID-enabled security system shorten processing times to just six seconds per passenger. A central Ground Transportation Centre links the terminal seamlessly to rail, metro, and highway networks.
The airport can now support up to 120 million passengers and 3.8 million tons of cargo annually. With the completion of Terminal 3, its ultimate capacity will reach 140 million passengers and 6 million tons of cargo, positioning it among the world’s leading airports.
Reporter: Zeng Xiangxing
Video: Liang Zijian
Poster: Liang Zijian
Editor: Hu Nan, James Campion, Shen He
