The number of exit-entry air passengers who travelled this year via Jinjiang International Airport in Quanzhou in Fujian province reached 1 million by Dec 11, continuing a trend of strong and steady growth at one of the nation's fastest-growing airports, according to the Quanzhou Entry-exit Border Inspection Station.

Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport was officially approved as an open port in China in 2012. 

The number of international routes increased from three in 2012 to 24 currently, covering 14 countries and regions in East and Southeast Asia, and the number of planes in the airport this year topped 7,427, increasing by 437 percent compared to the number in 2012. 

The total number of passengers grew to 7.44 million in 2018, an increase of 39.4 percent year-on-year. In December this year, the airport topped the 8 million passenger mark for the year, according to officials. 

They said Quanzhou continues to be a magnet for air services for domestic and international passengers in China. Heartened by the positive response of the customers, the airport has made ongoing efforts to create an appealing international aviation gateway in southeastern China that can meet the needs of global travelers, a Jinjiang Airport manager said. 

The growth in passenger numbers reaffirms how important Jinjiang Airport is to the city's economy. The international airport has helped the southeastern city become a global center for commerce and communications, creating jobs and economic opportunity for the region as a whole, officials said. 

A panoramic view of Jinjiang International Airport in Quanzhou, in Fujian province [Photo/qzwb.com]