Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Major international airport serving Guangzhou and the wider Pearl River Delta in southern China.
Last updated October 9, 2026
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Overview
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is the principal international airport serving Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, and one of the main air gateways to southern China. It uses the IATA code CAN and the ICAO code ZGGG. The IATA code was inherited from Guangzhou's former Baiyun Airport and reflects Canton, an older Romanization of the city's name. The airport is located in the northern part of Guangzhou, across Baiyun and Huadu districts, approximately 28 kilometres from central Guangzhou. The present airport opened on 5 August 2004, replacing the original Baiyun Airport, which had operated since 1932. The former facility had become constrained by Guangzhou's urban expansion, nearby buildings and geographical limitations, leaving insufficient room for the scale of expansion required by the city's growing passenger and cargo markets. The replacement airport was built at a reported cost of approximately 19.8 billion yuan and was designed on a substantially larger site. Unlike the old airport, the new facility was not subject to the same curfew restrictions, enabling round-the-clock operations and giving airlines greater flexibility for long-haul and overnight schedules. Baiyun is a major hub for China Southern Airlines and also supports significant operations by FedEx Express, 9 Air, Hainan Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines. Its network combines extensive domestic connectivity with international and regional routes. The airport is also an important cargo centre, supported by dedicated logistics infrastructure and FedEx's Asia-Pacific express hub. In 2023, it handled approximately 63.1 million passengers and ranked among the world's busiest airports by passenger traffic; it was reported as China's busiest airport that year. It also ranked second in China and eleventh worldwide by cargo traffic according to the referenced airport rankings. During the global COVID-19 disruption in 2020, Baiyun temporarily became the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic because international aviation markets were affected unevenly. The airport's infrastructure has expanded in stages. Terminal 1 formed the core of the original modern facility. Terminal 2 opened on 26 April 2018 with more than 808,700 square metres of floor area and a planned annual capacity exceeding 45 million passengers. It includes domestic and international processing areas, extensive retail and dining facilities, lounges, jet bridges and remote gates, as well as a ground transportation centre linking the airport with metro, rail, bus and taxi services. A third terminal and a fifth runway were reported as entering service on 30 October 2025 as part of the airport's major third-phase expansion. The expanded complex is intended to support multiple terminals, five runways, a satellite concourse and additional intercity rail connections. Baiyun Airport is connected with Guangzhou and neighbouring cities by the Guangzhou Airport Expressway, Guangzhou Metro, intercity railway, airport buses and intercity coaches. The airport serves as a key interchange between air travel and the broader transport network of the Pearl River Delta, including destinations such as Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Huizhou and Jiangmen. It has been certified as a four-star airport by Skytrax, while Terminal 2 has received a five-star terminal classification. The airport is also described in the reference material as China's first airport certified to the 4F standard and the first Chinese 4F airport to operate five commercial runways.
History
Guangzhou's original Baiyun Airport opened in 1932. It served the city for more than seven decades, but the rapid growth of Guangzhou and the surrounding urban area progressively restricted its ability to expand. Buildings and nearby mountains constrained the old site's development, while passenger demand, airline operations and cargo requirements continued to rise. The limitations became especially significant as Guangzhou developed into a major commercial and manufacturing centre in southern China. The replacement airport was developed north of central Guangzhou in the area now associated with Baiyun and Huadu districts. Although it retained the Baiyun name, the new site was much farther from Baiyun Mountain, the geographical feature associated with the original airport's name. Construction reportedly cost about 19.8 billion yuan. The current airport opened on 5 August 2004, and the former facility was closed. The new design provided a considerably larger operating area and removed the previous airport's curfew and other restrictions, allowing 24-hour operations. This was particularly important for China Southern Airlines, whose long-haul network could benefit from overnight departures and more flexible aircraft scheduling. The airport initially developed around Terminal 1 and a growing base of domestic and international airline operations. It became a principal hub for China Southern Airlines and also attracted other passenger carriers, including 9 Air, Hainan Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines. Its location gave airlines access not only to Guangzhou but also to the wider Pearl River Delta, one of China's most economically active regions. Connections by road, metro, bus and later intercity rail strengthened its role as a regional gateway. Cargo became a second major pillar of the airport's development. In July 2005, FedEx Express agreed to relocate its Asia-Pacific hub from Subic Bay International Airport in the Philippines to Baiyun. Construction of the dedicated facility began in 2006. The hub included a large cargo area, its own ramp-control tower and a high-speed automated sorting system designed to process up to 24,000 packages per hour at launch. After testing in December 2008, FedEx announced that the hub would begin full operations on 6 February 2009. The first operating service linked the new Guangzhou hub with FedEx's international network, including Paris Charles de Gaulle and Indianapolis. The move made Baiyun an important Asia-Pacific express-freight centre. Capacity expansion continued during the 2010s. A third-runway project was approved as part of a broader expansion plan in 2008, and construction began in 2012. The third runway opened on 5 February 2015. Its operating use was affected by airspace interaction with Foshan Shadi Airport, but it nevertheless helped relieve a longstanding capacity constraint. The centrepiece of the same expansion programme was Terminal 2. Terminal 2 opened on 26 April 2018. With more than 808,700 square metres of area and a planned annual capacity of over 45 million passengers, it became one of the world's largest airport terminal facilities. The terminal separated domestic and international processing areas while providing new check-in, baggage, boarding, commercial, lounge and ground-transport facilities. A ground transportation centre on its southern side linked the terminal with metro, rail, buses and taxis. Terminal 2 became the primary base for China Southern Airlines and was also used by a broad range of alliance and independent carriers. The airport's traffic profile changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, when international aviation was heavily disrupted, Baiyun handled about 43.8 million passengers and temporarily became the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic. As aviation demand recovered, it continued to rank among the world's largest airports. In 2023, it handled about 63.1 million passengers, ranking twelfth globally and first in China in the referenced statistics. It also ranked second in China and eleventh globally for cargo traffic. A further expansion programme was designed to create a three-terminal, five-runway airport with additional rail infrastructure and substantially higher passenger and freight capacity. The fourth runway opened on 23 January 2025. The referenced material states that Terminal 3 and the fifth runway opened on 30 October 2025, completing the reported third-phase project. Terminal 3 was designed with building-information-modelling technology and paper-free operational documentation, uses a flower-inspired architectural concept and includes an open-air observation deck described as the first of its kind at a Chinese airport. Baiyun's current role combines international gateway, domestic hub, cargo platform and multimodal transport interchange. Its facilities support passenger airlines, express logistics, retail and hospitality services, while rail, metro and road links connect the airport with Guangzhou and neighbouring cities. Skytrax has certified the airport as a four-star airport and Terminal 2 as a five-star terminal. The airport is also described as China's first 4F-standard airport and the first Chinese 4F airport to operate five commercial runways.
- 2025
Fourth runway opens
[1]Runway 01L/19R opens on 23 January, expanding the airport to four operating runways.
- 2025
Terminal 3 and fifth runway reported open
[1]The referenced material reports the opening of Terminal 3 and the fifth runway on 30 October as part of the third-phase expansion.
- 2023
Baiyun ranks among the world's busiest airports
[1]The airport handles approximately 63.1 million passengers and ranks twelfth worldwide and first in China in the referenced statistics.
- 2020
Temporary global passenger-traffic leadership
[1]The airport handles about 43.8 million passengers and temporarily ranks as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic during the pandemic period.
- 2018
Terminal 2 opens
[1]Terminal 2 opens on 26 April with more than 808,700 square metres of floor area and planned capacity exceeding 45 million passengers annually.
- 2015
Third runway opens
[1]The third runway enters service on 5 February to provide additional airport capacity.
- 2009
FedEx Asia-Pacific hub becomes operational
[1]FedEx begins full operations at its new Baiyun hub on 6 February after construction and systems testing.
- 2005
FedEx relocation agreement
[1]FedEx Express signs an agreement to move its Asia-Pacific hub from Subic Bay to Baiyun Airport.
- 2004
Current airport opens
[1]The new Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport opens on 5 August and replaces the constrained former airport.
- 1932
Original Baiyun Airport opens
[1]The former Baiyun Airport begins serving Guangzhou and remains in operation until the opening of the replacement airport in 2004.
Products and positioning
A large-scale, full-service international aviation gateway for Guangzhou and southern China, positioned around high-capacity passenger operations, China Southern Airlines hub connectivity, express cargo logistics and integration with the Pearl River Delta transport system.
Airport operations · 2004
Passenger aviation services
Baiyun provides airport infrastructure for domestic, regional and international passenger flights. Services include check-in, security, immigration, customs, baggage handling, boarding, arrivals processing, aircraft stands and passenger circulation across its terminal complex. China Southern Airlines uses the airport as a major hub, while several other Chinese and international airlines operate scheduled services.
Passenger terminal · 2004
Terminal 1
Terminal 1 is the original passenger terminal of the current airport. It consists of a main terminal and Areas A and B, with check-in, retail, security, border-control, customs, quarantine, baggage and boarding facilities. Its piers have been used for both domestic and international operations, with international handling concentrated in designated eastern piers during the period described by the reference material.
Passenger terminal · 2018
Terminal 2
Opened in 2018, Terminal 2 is a large four-level passenger facility with more than 808,700 square metres of area. It includes domestic and international processing zones, check-in and baggage facilities, jet bridges, remote gates, commercial areas, lounges and a ground transportation centre. The terminal is a principal operating base for China Southern Airlines and has a five-star terminal classification from Skytrax according to the reference material.
Passenger terminal · 2025
Terminal 3
Terminal 3 is reported to have opened on 30 October 2025 with more than 422,000 square metres of area. Its design uses building-information-modelling technology, supports paper-free operational archives and follows a flower-inspired architectural theme. The reference material also describes an open-air observation deck as a distinctive feature.
Air cargo and express logistics · 2009
FedEx Asia-Pacific hub
FedEx's dedicated Baiyun hub supports express freight movements between Asia and the wider global network. The facility covers approximately 63 hectares and includes cargo processing space, a dedicated ramp-control tower and an automated sorting system designed to handle up to 24,000 packages per hour at launch. Full operations began in February 2009 after testing and the relocation of the former Subic Bay hub.
Intermodal transport · 2018
Airport ground transportation centre
The airport's transport facilities connect air passengers with Guangzhou and nearby Pearl River Delta cities. Services include Guangzhou Metro, intercity rail, airport express buses, intercity coaches, taxis, road access and free inter-terminal shuttle buses. The transport centre associated with Terminal 2 provides access to multiple modes.
Brand decisions
2025
Expand to a five-runway, three-terminal systemGeneration changeBackground
Further growth required additional passenger terminals, runways and intermodal transport infrastructure.
Action taken
The airport opened a fourth runway in January 2025 and, according to the reference material, opened Terminal 3 and a fifth runway on 30 October 2025.
Aftermath
The reported expansion created a five-runway airport with three terminals and a higher planned capacity for passengers, cargo and aircraft movements.
2008
Approve the third-runway and Terminal 2 expansionGeneration changeBackground
Passenger and cargo growth created a need for additional runway and terminal capacity.
Action taken
An expansion plan was approved that included a third runway, Terminal 2, parking facilities and a multimodal transportation centre.
Aftermath
The third runway opened in 2015 and Terminal 2 opened in 2018, materially increasing the airport's planned throughput.
Estimated expansion cost. ¥18.854 billion estimated (2008 expansion plan)
2005
Bring FedEx's Asia-Pacific hub to GuangzhouStrategyBackground
Baiyun's location, capacity and round-the-clock operating potential made it suitable for a major international express-cargo hub.
Action taken
FedEx Express signed an agreement to relocate its Asia-Pacific hub from Subic Bay International Airport to Baiyun and subsequently built a dedicated facility.
Aftermath
The hub became fully operational in February 2009 and strengthened Baiyun's position in Asia-Pacific and intercontinental air logistics.
2004
Replace the capacity-constrained former airportStrategyBackground
The original Baiyun Airport could not expand sufficiently because of Guangzhou's urban growth, surrounding buildings and geographical constraints.
Action taken
A new airport was built north of Guangzhou and opened on 5 August 2004, allowing substantially larger-scale passenger, cargo and airline operations.
Aftermath
The former airport closed, while the replacement facility became Guangzhou's principal air gateway and a major China Southern Airlines hub.
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