Haikou Meilan International Airport has officially introduced a fast lane for international passengers eligible for 24-hour direct transit without border inspection procedures. (Source: Haikou Meilan International Airport)

Haikou Meilan International Airport has officially introduced a fast lane for international passengers eligible for 24-hour direct transit without border inspection procedures.

Eligible transit passengers can finish the process at an automated lane in just three steps: scan their travel document, scan their boarding pass, and complete facial recognition. Verification will take only a few seconds.

From counter processing to automated clearance

Previously, international transit passengers arriving in Haikou needed to use a designated passage to reach an immigration inspection counter, complete transit formalities, and receive a transit stamp in their passports.

Following China's National Immigration Administration's decision to add Meilan Airport to the list of 10 international airports eligible for the 24-hour direct transit exemption, passengers with international connecting tickets and a layover of up to 24 hours can now transfer directly to a third country or region without passing through immigration, as long as they stay within the airport.

The new lane combines automated document checks, boarding-pass scans, and facial recognition, enabling faster verification of passenger data and eligibility and greatly shortening wait times.

Manual inspection lanes remain available for passengers who may need additional assistance, including elderly travelers and travelers with children.

Haikou Meilan International Airport has officially introduced a fast lane for international passengers eligible for 24-hour direct transit without border inspection procedures. (Source: Haikou Meilan International Airport)

Expanding network strengthens Haikou's hub role

The smooth transit experience is growing alongside international air travel in the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP). By August 3, Meilan Airport had recorded over 1 million international and regional passenger trips in 2026, achieving the milestone 45 days earlier than in 2025.

Meanwhile, Meilan Airport is expanding its international transfer services. As of mid-August, it offered through-checked flights to destinations such as China's Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, Auckland, Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Jakarta, Dubai, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, and Melbourne.